PADUCAH — Kentucky medical cannabis practitioners could begin writing certifications for medical cannabis treatment on Dec. 1. Local medical practitioners explained what qualifications someone may have to receive a certification.
A certification for medical cannabis treatment is required for Kentucky residents to apply for medical cannabis cards, which begins on Jan. 1, 2025.
In order to qualify for a medical card, someone must be a Kentucky resident, at least 18-years-old, not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense, and have a written certification from a medical practitioner indicating they have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition that would benefit from medical cannabis treatment.
The only conditions that currently qualify someone for medical cannabis treatment include any type of cancer; chronic pain, epilepsy, or other seizure disorders; multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity; chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that is resistant to other medical treatments; and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Medical practitioners approved to write medical cannabis certifications must be Kentucky physicians or nurse practitioners (APRNs) who are authorized by the state licensing boards and registered with the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.
Perry Colley, a local nurse practitioner who is certified to write medical cannabis certificates, said in order to prescribe patients medical cannabis treatment, he will first establish a provider-patient relationship.
“You establish a relationship with somebody, you go over their medical records, you talk through kind of what’s going on with them, and if they meet one of the qualification criteria, then essentially, they are approved for that condition,” Colley said.
He explained he may write a recommended dosage of cannabis over a certain period of time and a type of product, but he cannot control how the patient chooses to consume cannabis.
The approved uses include topical treatments; edibles, gummies, drinks, or food; vapes; or suppositories. Although raw plant material will be sold at medical cannabis dispensaries, it cannot be smoked.
“Once they get to the dispensary, and they have that card, it’s going to allow them to purchase up to a certain amount based on what the card says. With that, they kind of have free range as far as what they want to purchase,” Colley said.
A Kentucky medical cannabis prescriber can issue a written certification for a patient that is valid for 60 days after the initial, in-person visit. When the certification expires, the prescriber can issue three more certifications, for 60-days each, without having to meet with the patient. Regulations require patients to see their medical practitioner within 60 days of the certification’s expiration.
“The way that I personally envision it for myself and my clinic is writing the initial certification and then, at a minimum, following up every six months,” Colley said.
Perry Colley, a local nurse practitioner who is certified to write medical cannabis certificates, said his practice will reevaluate patient medical cannabis certification every six months.
The cost of an appointment with a medical cannabis practitioner varies depending on each individual practice.
“For my services, I charge an initial of $150, and that’s for that initial appointment, review of medical records, discussion of risks, benefits, side effects, all of those things, and then actually issuing that certification,” Colley said.
The Kentucky Board of Physicians and Advisors submitted a letter to the General Assembly to consider adding 14 additional qualifying medical conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Parkinson’s Disease; irritable bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis; sickle cell anemia; cachexia or wasting syndrome; neuropathies; arthritis; fibromyalgia; muscular dystrophy; Huntington’s Disease; HIV; AIDS; glaucoma; and terminal illness.
To locate a medical cannabis practitioner, visit kymedcan.ky.gov.
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