LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In less than three months, Kentuckians with certain medical conditions will be able to purchase medical marijuana in the state. Ahead of Jan. 1, authorized physicians are working with patients to make sure they’re ready.
“We’re in the neighborhood of 20 to 30 patients right now, and we’ve got another 20 or so appointments that are scheduled between now and January 1st,” said Dr. Ryan Grell, an anesthesiologist who opened Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood about a month ago.
Grell, along with two other physicians, is fulfilling the state requirement of meeting with patients in-person to recommend the use of medical marijuana.
“So we’re all board-certified anesthesiologists, and essentially our role here is to certify patients for Kentucky’s medical cannabis program,” Grell explained.
The UofL doctor, who also serves on the state board for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, says physicians can start asking the state to approve people’s medical cannabis cards in December.
They must also complete an additional certification and have state approval to recommend medical marijuana.
“We issue on the same day a temporary certification letter which allows you to possess medical cannabis that you’ve purchased legally at a dispensary outside of the Commonwealth. And then also on January 1st, we will provide you [with] that certification to get your annual card,” Grell said.
To qualify for a medical marijuana card, you must have at least one of the following conditions:
Any type or form of cancer;
Chronic or severe pain;
Epilepsy or other intractable seizure disorder;
Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity;
Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome; or
Post-traumatic stress disorder.
“As you imagine, if you want to be one of the first patients to benefit from visiting a dispensary here, you have to be certified before January 1st,” Grell said.
Dr. Grell reminds people to be aware of scammers who claim to provide quick and cheap medical cards. He says to avoid places that offer services virtually. State law required an in-person doctor visit.
You can also verify with the state that the physician you’re planning to see is certified to recommend medical marijuana.