Oregon Medical Marijuana Program

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, whose mission is to protect the health and safety of Oregon's citizens, has been providing Oregonians with safe access to medical marijuana for over a decade. The OMMP was authorized by the Oregon legislature in 1998, under the guidance of a state-appointed Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. The OMMP has been successfully providing compassionate care to thousands of Oregonians suffering from debilitating illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and chronic pain, as well as other conditions. The OMMP issues identification cards to qualified patients and their primary caregivers. The Department of Human Services administers the OMMP through its existing infrastructure. The purpose of the OMMP is to ensure that patients have safe access to marijuana when recommended by their physician and that they are using it safely and legally. The program requires physicians to advise patients about the potential risks and benefits of medical marijuana use and help them develop a treatment plan. This includes educating patients about smoking or growing their own marijuana -- both activities that pose serious health risks.