Board Adopts Permit Form for Medical Cannabis Applicants
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WHEELING - The Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health has approved a medical cannabis permit form for use in the county.
The board took the action Tuesday after a 30-minute executive session between the board and Ohio County Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Turak. Board chair Dr. John Holloway said the purpose of the executive session was "to discuss a legal matter."
After returning to an open meeting format, Holloway said they had discussed West Virginia's new medical cannabis law and regulations as they apply to the Board of Health. Under the rules, the Board of Health would have to sign off on any application for a medical cannabis business in the county, he said.
Board member Dr. Mathew Wood then made a motion to approve the permit form for medical cannabis applicants. Voting for the measure were board chair Dr. John Holloway and board members Elisabeth Slater, Chad Thalman, Thomas Tuttle and Wood. Member Laura Wakim Chapman was absent.
Board members offered no further comment on the medical cannabis issue during the regular meeting.
In other action, Ohio County Clerk Michael Kelly swore in Dr. Thomas G. Wack as interim county health officer. Wack is serving in that capacity while Dr. William C. Mercer is on a temporary leave of absence.
Holloway thanked Wack for his willingness to serve. Noting current coronavirus concerns, Holloway said, "It's a huge help to us to have you join us."
Administrator Howard Gamble said the health department is entering into an agreement with MediSys Practice Solutions of South Charleston to provide billing services. MediSys works with other West Virginia counties and is familiar with regulations, agencies and insurers in the state, he said.
MediSys will begin with securing credentials with insurance companies, a process that could take one to three months to complete. The firm then will work with the health department to process and bill for immunizations and other services, Gamble said. The agreement includes the ability to establish an electronic medical records system.
The Board of Health's next meeting is set for noon May 12 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St.