Forum held on medical marijuana dispensaries

STEUBENVILLE -- The Ohio Valley Natural Relief medical marijuana dispensary held an educational forum for area residents Thursday at Eastern Gateway Community College.

The forum, which was the first of its kind in the Ohio Valley, attracted approximately 50 attendees, many of whom were senior citizens.

Mike Petrella, owner of OVNR, said that he hopes the forum will give people a better understanding about what they are doing at his shop.

"We want to lose the stigma," he said. "This is a medical facility."

The OVNR staff began the event by explaining their business and how to obtain a medical marijuana card from the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.

Because of state laws, dispensaries are not permitted to provide the names of doctors currently certified to issues the cards, but they were able to explain the process and the current list of conditions accepted.

Mary Canella, the OVNR nurse practitioner, was on hand to answer some more in-depth questions, but the officials were clear that they cannot offer actual medical advice outside of the uses of marijuana and the different strains available.

Canella said that in addition to speaking at the forum, she is available at the shop for individual counseling.

Patient Care Specialist Chad Fuller told the crowd about some of the different strains available at OVNR.

According to Fuller there are two primary types of marijuana available. The two major types of cannabis are Indica and Sativa. Each strain has its own range of effects resulting in a wide range of medicinal benefits. Indica strains generally provide a sense of deep body relaxation. Sativa strains tend to provide a more energizing experience. Within the types themselves, their are many strains, each with its own pros and cons. There also hybrids, which offer a little of each effect.

Fuller explained that patients meet one on one with a PCS to discuss their symptoms and needs and then the PCS will make some recommendations as to what is most likely to help. "Different strains help different symptoms," he said.

OVNR Senior Adviser Tony Morelli explained that just like other medications, patients might have to try a few things before finding the one that works best.

"They all do something different and effect people differently," he said.

Fuller explained that according to the state, one day's worth of product is 2.83 grams. This is a different measurement than used by other states. "They got away from cannabis math and are using pharmacy math," he said.

Petrella said that, currently, one unit is between $45 and $53.

He explained that while the state considers that one day's worth of product, it actually depends on the individual's usage. He said that for some that will last one to two days, but for others, it lasts two weeks.

Petrella also explained the testing the state does. He said that all products in his shop must be tested and approved by the state of Ohio from "seed to stem." He said that while most growers use organic techniques, if they do use pesticides he is notified and the information is available to customers.

"It's all tested by a state-approved lab," he said.

Petrella also explained some of the laws surrounding medical marijuana in Ohio. He explained that any products purchased in Ohio cannot be taken out of state. He explained that the product will be sealed in a bag before leaving the store, and it is illegal to open that bag until the patient is in his of her home.

Currently, the state is only approving the flower or bud for sale, but Petrella said it is legal to use the product to cook in your own home.

Madison Richards, PCS, explained that it is currently illegal to smoke the flower in Ohio, but patients can vape the product. She explained that vaping is actually safer than smoking because the products do not get hot enough to release carcinogens like smoking does.

According to Richards, another plus to vaping is that a patient can use the vaped marijuana to cook with after so they can make it last longer.

OVNR will be holding two additional educational forums this month. They will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Hopedale Fire Hall, 103 Firehouse Lane, and at 6 p.m. March 21 at Belmont College, 68094 Hammond Road, St. Clairsville.

For information on medical marijuana or the OVNR dispensary, 840 Canton Road, Wintersville, call (740) 792-4267.

For a list of doctors approved to provide medical marijuana cards or the list of accepted conditions visit https://www.medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov.