As medical marijuana treatment grows in Ohio, so does association of doctors

An association of medical marijuana-certified doctors is growing, and giving those physicians the chance to learn from one another about the development of treatment and best practices.

A group of doctors meets virtually around once a month to discuss a controversial topic: treating patients with marijuana.

Cannabis is approved to treat 21 medical conditions in Ohio, but research on the drug is sparse and surveys show that most doctors are still unwilling to recommend it to patients.

The Ohio Medical Marijuana Physicians Association, or OMMPA, organizes regular gatherings now online now because of the coronavirus pandemic so members can ask questions, share ideas and meet with advocates and industry experts who can offer advice on malpractice insurance or legal hurdles.

Founded in 2018, the group has grown from just a handful of doctors to dozens. And while concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest, members say the group helps them separate fact from fiction about an understudied drug.

“OMMPA provides a place where it’s real doctors who want to talk about real medicine, and that’s really refreshing,” said Dr. Bridget Williams of Columbus, who attends the meetings. [Read more at The Columbus Dispatch]