It's not a secret that Oregon has legalized the use of medical and recreational marijuana in the state. As a user, what are the things that you should be aware of?

2. INTRODUCTION
• The idyllic coastal state of Oregon has been a popular choice among
retirees and adventure seekers alike.
• With stories of goldrush, that date back 200 years, there’s a charisma
attached with Oregon.
• Oregon has also been proactive state when it comes to social and
legislative reforms.

3. • Now, Oregon is all set to be the newest state to legalize personal uses
of marijuana in addition to their well-established medical marijuana
program.
• However, the purpose of this presentation is to overview the state of
medical marijuana in Oregon.
• So, we’ll keep recreational marijuana aside during the course of this
discussion.

4. THE OREGON MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM
• The State of Oregon, on behalf of the people of Oregon, approved “The
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program” in 1998.
• One of the first of its kind in the US, the program saw fierce
campaigning and resistance.
• When finally enacted, the program allowed for the use of medical
marijuana in Oregon for palliative care.

5. • The initial diseases and conditions classified under the program were
HIV/AIDs, cancer, cachexia, Alzheimer’s disease and severe physical
pains through accident.
• Newer conditions are added regularly as per the recommendations from
the practitioners.
• Recently, nausea was added to the list of qualifying conditions for the
medical marijuana treatment in Oregon.
• The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is administered and regulated
by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).

6. WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE OMMP?
• A resident of the State of Oregon, who may suffer from one or more of
the following conditions, can apply for the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Program:
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Cachexia
• Unbearable Pain
• Nausea
• Seizures caused by epilepsy or other diseases
• Muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis or other diseases

7. WHO CAN RECOMMEND THE MEDICAL
MARIJUANA FOR TREATMENT?
• Any registered and licensed Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of
Osteopathy (DO) in the state of Oregon who’s attending a patient with
the said diseases can recommend medical marijuana to a patient.
• Marijuana is classified by the Federal government as a Schedule I
narcotic and hence a physician is not authorized to prescribe it.
• Such practitioners need to fill out a form called “Attending Physician’s
Statement Form”. More can be read about this here.

8. INFORMATION REGARDING CAREGIVERS
• If the said patient has a caregiver, the caregiver can be issued a registry
card on patient’s behalf.
• However, if the patient doesn’t have a caregiver, he/she can apply on
his/her own.

9. POSSESSION AND CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA
IN OREGON
• For cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes, a person has to be 18
years of age or older.
• The grower has to submit for a cultivation license which will only be
issued upon satisfactory background check.
• Detailed rules and regulations regarding possession and cultivation can
be obtained from the official website of the DHS, Oregon.

10. REFRAIN FROM THE FOLLOWING:
• Having the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program card doesn’t put the
user outside the jurisdiction of federal laws regarding marijuana
possession and dispensation.
• A cardholder must refrain from the following:
• Selling medical marijuana obtained for treatment
• Dispensing medical marijuana obtained for treatment to non-OMMP
members
• Exceed the limits stipulated for growing
• Drive under the influence of THC
• Abuse the program in any other way

11. Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is one of the oldest of its kind in the
US. It has set excellent precedents for other states and people availing
from it must strive to keep it that way.