OK seeks to loosen rules about who can recommend medical cannabis to patients

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Oklahoma’s medical marijuana market could see an additional sales boost if lawmakers continue on their path to pass two measures that would open up the ability for additional physicians and nurse practitioners to participate in the program.

The reworked bills advanced through a House Rules Committee this week, the Tulsa World reported.

If the full Legislature passes them and they are enacted into law, the bills would:
  • Allow all physicians “licensed by and in good standing” with the state medical or osteopathic oversight agencies to issue MMJ patient licenses. Currently, only “state board-certified” physicians can do so.
  • Permit nurse practitioners to recommend MMJ to patients – but not issue patient licenses.

In related news, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority reported that more than 80,000 patients are now licensed in the state (83,458 as of April 8), and that the number could swell to 150,000 by the program’s first anniversary.

An earlier projection estimated 40,000 to 80,000 licensed patients would register for the first year.

Oklahoma residents voted to legalize medical marijuana last June, and the program launched in late August.