Local Urgent Care Discounting Medical Marijuana Recommendations For Veterans

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 9:41 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

AccuDoc Urgent Care founder Dr. Trent Austin says his business will provide medical marijuana recommendations for Ohio veterans.

Dr. Trent Austin. Photo provided.

(Harrison, Oh.) - A Harrison doctor says he will waive fees for veterans seeking medical marijuana treatment.

Just this month, Ohio’s medical marijuana patient and caregiver registry began accepting recommendations from doctors. The state reviews the doctor recommendations, giving those patients approved registration cards to buy marijuana from dispensaries.

Dr. Trent Austin is the founder of AccuDoc Urgent Care, which has offices in Ohio and southeastern Indiana. He says the Harrison, Ohio location on Ring Road is waiving a $199 office fee for veterans coming in for a medical marijuana registration, in lieu of an at-will donation.

Austin says he’s doing it to make treatment more accessible, and because of his father.

“My father, a veteran, passed away of dementia and cancer,” said Austin. “I wish cannabis had been an option to help with his condition. This medical option is long overdue.”

Dr. Austin was one of the first doctors in the Cincinnati area to become certified to recommend medical marijuana. He has already been seeing patients for marijuana treatment since November.

According to the business, veterans visiting AccuDoc Urgent Care must show a military ID and will be asked to pay an at-will donation. The doctor must determine whether the patient has one of 21 qualifying conditions. If so, the patient can be recommend medical marijuana. The doctor explains the benefits and risks of the treatment option.

Patients are required to be an Ohio resident, and show proof, before a recommendation can be given.

The state reviews the doctor recommendations, giving those patients approved registration cards to buy marijuana.

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy announced Monday that patient registrations so far total nearly 2,000. About half those have activated their registration cards, which must be shown before receiving marijuana at a dispensary.

Pot dispensaries in Ohio are expected to open either by the end of this year or in early 2019.

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