Valley doctors approved to recommend medical marijuana - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

Nearly a dozen Valley physicians have received the stamp of approval to recommend medical marijuana to patients across the state.

As of now, 10 Valley doctors are certified through the Ohio Pharmacy Board and State Medical Board, with specialties ranging from anesthesiology, internal medicine, psychiatry, and family medicine.

Dr. Lindsay Benedict --
Anesthesiologist
Warren
BIO--https://health.usnews.com/doctors/lindsay-benedict-859739
Dr. Lindsay Benedict is an anesthesiologist in Youngstown, Ohio and is affiliated with Trumbull Memorial Hospital. She received her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She is one of 14 doctors at Trumbull Memorial Hospital who specialize in Anesthesiology.

Dr. Arthur Duran --
Family Medicine
Poland
BIO--https://health.usnews.com/doctors/arthur-duran-173355
Dr. Arthur Duran is a family medicine doctor in Poland, Ohio and is affiliated with Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He received his medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Duran accepts several types of health insurance. He is one of 81 doctors at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital who specialize in Family Medicine.

Dr. Matthew Eggleston --
Critical Care Doctor
Canfield
BIO--https://health.usnews.com/doctors/matthew-eggleston-854351
Dr. Matthew Eggleston is a critical care specialist in Youngstown, Ohio and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital and Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He received his medical degree from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice between 6-10 years. He is one of 4 doctors at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital and one of 30 at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital who specialize in Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Adil Jaffer --
Family Doctor
Youngstown
BIO-- https://health.usnews.com/doctors/adil-jaffer-214329
Dr. Adil Jaffer is a family medicine doctor in Youngstown, Ohio. He received his medical degree from Medical University of Silesia and has been in practice between 11-20 years.

Dr. Rajendra Koirala --
Psychiatry
Canfield
BIO--https://health.usnews.com/doctors/rajendra-koirala-660055
Dr. Rajendra Koirala is a psychiatrist in Warren, Ohio and is affiliated with Trumbull Memorial Hospital. He received his medical degree from Tribhuvan University Inst of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years. He is one of 10 doctors at Trumbull Memorial Hospital who specialize in Psychiatry.

Dr. Russell Morrison --
Family Medicine Doctor
Youngstown
BIO--https://health.usnews.com/doctors/russell-morrison-144205
Dr. Russell Morrison is a family medicine doctor in Youngstown, Ohio and is affiliated with Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He received his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is one of 81 doctors at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital who specialize in Family Medicine.

Dr. Vincent Paolone --
Psychiatry
Boardman
BIO-- https://health.usnews.com/doctors/vincent-paolone-556063
Dr. Vincent Paolone is a psychiatrist in Youngstown, Ohio. He received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He also speaks multiple languages, including Spanish and German.

Dr. Karipineni Prasad --
Psychiatry
Canfield
BIO-- https://health.usnews.com/doctors/karipineni-prasad-87760
Dr. Karipineni Prasad is a psychiatrist in Canfield, Ohio and is affiliated with Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He received his medical degree from Rangaraya Medical College NTR and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is one of 9 doctors at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital who specialize in Psychiatry.

Dr. Robert M. Roerich --
Psychiatry
Boardman

Dr. Scott Tofil --
Internal Medicine
Youngstown
BIO-- https://health.usnews.com/doctors/scott-tofil-131495
Dr. Scott Tofil is an internist in Youngstown, Ohio and is affiliated with Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is one of 86 doctors at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital who specialize in Internal Medicine.

**All physician biographies are courtesy of health.usnews.com. Steward Health and Mercy Health systems have not confirmed any physicians affiliation.

Lists of additional prescribers licensed to recommend medical marijuana are expected to be released on a monthly basis as applications get approved, according to the State Medical Board.

In order to be licensed to provide medical marijuana referrals, physicians must hold an active, unrestricted MD or DO license from the State Medical Board of Ohio.

Additionally, physicians who apply will need to complete at least two hours of continuing medical education that will assist in diagnosing qualifying conditions, treating those conditions with medical marijuana and possible drug interactions.

Doctors will then need to renew their licenses when their license to practice as a physician or osteopathic physician is renewed or restored. For renewal, they must also complete two-hours of continuing education classes in medical marijuana annually.

Those who to apply to become certified recommenders for medical marijuana cannot have any part in the ownership or an investment interest with medical marijuana companies, dispensaries, or cultivators.

Certified physicians may recommend medical marijuana only for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition.

Patients who wish to use medical marijuana will need to see a certified physician who will assess the patient's need, and if deemed necessary, make a recommendation to the state officials.

Patients who are approved will then be issued a medical marijuana card, approving them for use, consumption, and possession of certain medicinal marijuana products.

Medicinal marijuana can only be obtained through a state authorized dispensary, and will only be offered in forms like tinctures, oils, or edibles.

Ohio's medical marijuana program was scheduled to begin in September, however, earlier this summer state officials announced that the program would not be ready to begin by then.