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01/19/2016

OSMA revisits policy on marijuana

The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) recently held a special meeting (virtually) of its House of Delegates in hopes of revising its policy on marijuana. While the attendees had a vibrant discussion, there was not a quorum (there were 106 of the needed 114 members needed participating) to officially adopt a new OSMA policy. While this is not official policy, attendees of the special House of Delegates meeting agreed on the following draft statements:

  • The Ohio State Medical Association opposes recreational use of marijuana.
  • The Ohio State Medical Association supports Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved clinical research to explore the potential risks versus benefits of using marijuana or its component chemicals to treat specific medical conditions. 
  • The Ohio State Medical Association supports focused and controlled medical use of pharmaceutical grade marijuana or its component chemicals for treatment of those conditions which have been evaluated through Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved clinical research studies and have been shown to be efficacious. 
  • The Ohio State Medical Association recommends that marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines and alternate delivery methods.
  • The Ohio State Medical Association supports limiting marijuana prescribing rights, if permitted, to physicians (MDs and DOs).
  • The Ohio State Medical Association strongly opposes legalization of any presently illegal drugs of substance abuse, including but not limited to, marijuana and cocaine, except in the instance of appropriate evidence-based use approved by the FDA.

The OSMA House of Delegates will continue discussion and potentially take official action on the marijuana policy at its Annual Meeting on April 2 and 3. For, now, the following remains the OSMA official position:

Resolution 65 – 1991

Substance Abuse as a Public Health Hazard

RESOLVED, That the Ohio State Medical Association strongly oppose legalization of any presently illegal drugs of substance abuse, including but not limited to, marijuana and cocaine.

 

 

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