Medical Practitioner Questions

Medical Practitioner Questions

  • ​​​Physicians and advanced practice registered nurses (“APRNs") who are first authorized by their respective licensing board and registered with the Office. 
  • Physicians and APRNs must first apply through their respective licensing boards to become an authorized medical cannabis practitioner. Once approved, medical cannabis practitioners must register with the Office of Medical Cannabis. You can learn more about how to become authorized and ​register here​

Medical cannabis practitioners must follow these steps in order to issue a written certification:
  1. Establish a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship during an initial in-person exam;
  2. Diagnose or confirm that the patient has a qualifying medical condition;
  3. Review a 12-month prescription drug history report from KASPER;
  4. Consult with the patient or legal guardian about possible ricks and side effects;
  5. Obtain the consent of legal guardian if the patient is a minor; and 
  6. Submit the written certification electronically within 24 hours of the initial in-person exam. 
The Office has also provided an Authorized Practitioner Registration Guide and more resources about how to become authorized and write written certifications. You can read them here​.

  • A bona fide practitioner-patient relationship is defined in KRS 218B.010(1) and requires an initial in-person examination and assessment of a patient's medical history and current medical condition among other requirements. The ongoing relationship can be maintained via telehealth.

  • ​Yes. Please contact your respective licensing board regarding continuing education requirements. 

  • ​Yes. The Office is providing a webinar series on how physicians and APRNs can become authorized and registered. You can learn more about the webinars here​.​

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