As of January 1, 2022, HB 3369 (2021) allows more attending health care providers in Oregon have the ability to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating medical conditions.
The definition of attending provider for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) includes the following OMB licensees: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), and Physician Associate (PA). These health care providers are considered to have primary responsibility for the care and treatment of patients. Having primary responsibility means the attending provider has one of the following roles:
- Provides primary health care to the patient.
- Provides medical specialty care and treatment to the patient.
- Is a consultant who has been asked to examine and treat the patient by the patient's primary care physician licensed under ORS chapter 677, the patient's PA licensed under ORS chapter 677, or the patient's nurse practitioner licensed under ORS chapter 678.
The provider must also have reviewed a patient's medical records at the patient's request and conducted a thorough physical examination of the patient; provided or planned follow-up care; and documented these activities in the patient's medical record.
For more information, visit the OMMP website at
healthoregon.org/ommp.
Guidelines for Attending Physicians
A clinical guidelines workgroup consisting of physicians from multiple specialties as well as a patient advocate created Guidelines for Attending Physicians when Recommending the Medical Use of Marijuana (available via the image below).
The Oregon Medical Board endorsed these guidelines in April 2017.
The Oregon Legislature directed the workgroup to develop these guidelines for attending physicians to follow when recommending the medical use of marijuana for the purpose of mitigating the symptoms or effects of a debilitating medical condition. The guidelines address the concurrent use of marijuana and opioids1 and treatment of pediatric patients and patients who lack decision-making capacity. Physicians are also encouraged to complete continuing medical education related to medical marijuana before recommending its use.
The workgroup's report neither encourages nor discourages a physician to recommend the medical use of marijuana. Its purpose is to provide guidance to physicians on evaluating and developing a treatment plan and follow-up for a patient diagnosed with one of the qualifying medical conditions for the medical use of marijuana.
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program
The Oregon Medical Board does not oversee or otherwise regulate the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
Per ORS 677.141(2)(c), telemedicine status licensees are not able to provide written documentation for purposes of ORS 475C.783 (Medical Use of Cannabis Registration).
1. See the pain management webpage for the Oregon Opioid Prescribing Guidelines.