Ohio Rolls Out First Legal Marijuana Sales

By Hal Blatman MD on Apr 15, 2019 in Blog, News, Treatments

It’s official. Medical marijuana is available for legal sale in Ohio.

Legal sales of medical marijuana began Jan. 15 at four retail dispensaries: CY+ and Ohio Valley Natural Relief in Wintersville, The Botanist in Canton and The Forest Sandusky in Sandusky.

“We’re excited to have four dispensaries opening today,” pharmacy board spokeswoman Ali Simon told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s been a long time and a lot of work to get this patient-centered program in place.”

Patients waited in long lines, warmed by space heaters and heated tents. Coffee and hot chocolate was served, though the state’s strict guidelines prohibited the serving of food.

High Price, Low Supply

The first sales came with a higher price tag compared with other medical marijuana across the country — $50 for 1/10 of an ounce. State regulations mandate plant material to be sold in 2.83 g parcels — one-tenth of an ounce that growers have coined an “Ohio tenth.”

Patients were limited to 8 ounces within a 90-day period.

Supplies started low and are expected to sell out quickly. The state also foresees shortages in the immediate future. Officials don’t expect quantities to even come close to meeting demand until the spring, when more dispensaries open across the state.

“Countless Ohioans could benefit from medical cannabis, but only a limited number will gain access to it this week,” said Chris Lindsey, senior legislative counsel for national advocacy group Marijuana Policy Project, told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Better Late than Never

Roll out of the program has been delayed and slow. The state’s patient registry opened just five weeks ago, with 4,000 patients completing the process. Ohio’s medical marijuana law first passed in June 2016. Sales began several months later than first anticipated. About 374 doctors have been approved to recommend marijuana, including Dr. Blatman.

Patients must meet at least one of 21 medical conditions. The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet in February to look over petitions to add further conditions to the program. A decision should be made in six months

Hal Blatman MD

View all posts by Hal Blatman MD →

Name*
Email*
Phone #
How Did You Hear About Us?*
Message*
Terms*
- I Agree
Read Terms
Form Submission Terms
Close
I understand that by clicking "Send", I am providing Dr. Blatman / blatmanhealthandwellness.com with the personal information that I filled out above. Dr. Blatman / blatmanhealthandwellness.com will not share or sell this information with anyone outside of our organization, but it may be viewed by our extended team. Thus, do not share confidential or sensitive personal or medical information. By pressing “Send” I confirm and give permission to process my personal data.
Security

Patient Testimonials

Within ten days, my groin muscle pain was gone and the elbow tendonitis pain resolved in a slightly longer time. Both problems have gone away with no recurrence.

Alan Rosenberg

After suffering with widespread pain for two years, I was told it was all in my head and that nothing could be done for my condition as nothing appeared on an x-ray or MRI. After joining a fibromyalgia support group, I was referred to Dr. Blatman. I found [it] to be very calm[ing] and reassuring that my pain was real. We discussed medication, therapies exercise and diet changes and Dr. Blatman literally walked with me in reclaiming my life.

Sylvia Link

When I first went to Dr. Blatman two years ago, I was spending 1-3 days a week in bed with severe neck pain, headaches and nausea. I had had migraines for 40 years and been to countless doctors, but did not receive any help. I had also developed chronic myofascial pain in my neck. Now, two years later, I have not been bed ridden with a sick pain event in my neck or head once, and I have a life again, thanks to Dr. Blatman's expert knowledge, thoughtful help and perseverance.

Wendy Andrews

I was in pain daily and forced to limit my exercise. This was a real blow to me because exercise had always been a part of my life. I tried anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, but nothing worked. I was afraid I was going to have to live the rest of my life like this. That’s when I was introduced to Dr. Blatman’s philosophies. By implementing his ideas of wellness into my life and selective trigger point injections, I’m happy to say that I am now happy, healthy and pain free.

Teri Boynton

As an author of one of the early texts on Evidence-Based Medicine I know the power and peril of anecdote. That said I arrived to present at a conference with a painfully familiar recurrence lower back pain, bracing myself for days if not weeks of symptoms to come. Hal kindly offered to diagnose and provide some hands on treatment. Within 10 minutes I felt 50% better and by morning I was 80% better and could put my socks on again. Within a week I was completely pain free. While this is by no means scientific evidence I could not help but feel awe inspired by Hal and his care.

Daniel Friedman, MD

The key to relieving chronic pain, especially fibromyalgia and myofascial pain, requires identification and treatment of perpetuating factors. This must be done on a patient-by-patient basis, due to the variables these conditions present. Dr. Blatman provides this total patient care.

Devin Starlanyl

I visited Dr. Blatman to receive relief from a strained groin, and recurrent calf pain due to an injury a year ago. After two visits where Dr. Blatman performed the trigger point injection technique, both problems have been resolved and I have been able to resume all activities including playing tennis 3 times a week. I would highly recommend Dr. Blatman and his associates.

Chris Uhlhorn

Chronic Fatigue was my diagnosis in 2005. How do you treat Chronic Fatigue? Well, there is no magic pill or cure. So I suffered for almost 2 years. I did not find a magic pill but I did find Blatman Pain Clinic. I was cautious about many of his recommendations but I have found out the hard way to follow his advise. My energy level is back to normal. I can keep up with my hectic job and 2 teenage children. I am a single parent and they count on me! Thank You Dr. Blatman!

KG

Since beginning treatment with Dr. Blatman, I have lost lost 30 pounds and gone from being unable to walk without help, to a career singing and dancing at retirement communities, sometimes up to four hours a day.

Linda Cosby

I don’t have a lot of time to get better when my back hurts. Bad backs are an occupational hazard in dentistry. Treatment with Dr. Blatman gets me out of pain, back to work and back on the golf course with a minimal amount of down time. Having this treatment available has been an indispensable part of my life in terms of doing the things I need and love to do.

Dr. Richard Wolterman

Like so many people who suffer with chronic headaches, I had gotten only partial relief from traditional medicine. Dr. Blatman understands the impact of headache pain. His emphasis on multiple techniques made a big difference for me.

Chris Modrall

MENU