Dispensaries say patient confidentiality assured
One aspect that has medical marijuana cardholders concerned is the potential for their information to be shared, and the legality of transporting cannabis. With what many perceive as a negative stigma attached to marijuana use, some prefer that their use of it be kept out of the spotlight.
After the State Question 788 was approved by voters in summer 2018, the
Regardless of whether they're required by law, employees of local dispensaries say they won't disclose any information about patients they see.
"That would be completely ridiculous for me to do that," said
HIPAA, a privacy law passed in 1996, set policies, procedures, and guidelines to maintain patient security and privacy over protected health information. According to the
The authority did go on to state that patients and caregivers are protected under state law and that application records and information are sealed.
Some people are open about their medicinal use, but not everyone. So dispensaries will help customers ensure their privacy is kept at all costs.
"We definitely have customers who ask us to park in the back," said
While OMMA may not be "subject to HIPPA regulations," the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, more commonly known as the Unity Bill, includes language stating that registration systems for cardholders are compliant with HIPAA.
According to the Unity Bill, the OMMA's registry of patients and caregivers -- the handling of any records maintained -- "shall complete with all relevant state and federal laws including, but not limited to, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act." It also states any records maintained by OMMA "shall be marked confidential, shall not be made available to the public and shall only be made available to the licensee, designee of the license, any physician of the licensee or the caregiver of the licensee."
"We don't claim to be doctors, and I'm very clear that they need to speak with their doctor," he said. "But they look at me for my advise and people naturally will tell me all sorts of things about them ... it's private. You can come in and ask about someone if you want, but you're not going to get any further than you would at a doctor's office. The law doesn't have to come in and tell me what's right."
Representatives from CBD Plus,
Another recent bill that passed was the state's Permitless Carry law, allowing people to carry firearms without a permit, license, or training. Gun owners who want to toke and tote don't have to worry, either. The Unity Bill also states "a medical marijuana patient or caregiver licensee shall not be denied the right to own, purchase or possess a firearm, ammunition, or firearm accessories based solely on his or her status as a medical marijuana patient or caregivers licensee."
State cardholders are allowed to possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana in their residences; up to 1 ounce of concentrated marijuana; up to 72 ounces of edible marijuana; up to six mature plants; up to six seedling plants; and up to 3 ounces of marijuana "leaf" on their person.
According to
While transporting marijuana in a vehicle, none should be out in the open with easy access to it, as it is still illegal drive under the influence. This is the same as with alcohol: Even a person who isn't technically drunk could be arrested for open container.
What's next
This is the second in a two-part series on medical marijuana. The third part will focus on different products available around the area.
___
(c)2019 the Tahlequah Daily Press (Tahlequah, Okla.)
Visit the Tahlequah Daily Press (Tahlequah, Okla.) at www.tahlequahdailypress.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Insurance enrollment deadline is coming
Gerdau steel plant fire nearly out after St. Paul firefighters on scene for 11 hours
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News