SAMHSA: Only 8 States Have ‘Well-Developed’ Value-Based Care Initiatives for Addiction Treatment

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) finds that meaningful development of value-based care policies for addiction treatment among the states is a rarity.

Only eight states have “well-developed and ongoing” initiatives for addiction treatment, according to a new report released Monday.

Twenty-four states had quality performance initiatives in their Medicaid programs, while 20 had low or no evidence of value-based care policies.

The report was short on specific care-focused outcomes, citing “a lack of data on the impact of [value-based care] on clinical outcomes.”

It did say that value-based care models allow providers flexibility and enable “person-centered” care.

Ohio's SFY24 Crisis Academy Series: Ohio's Crisis Systems Landscape-Stabilize and Thrive

The next Crisis Academy on Ohio’s Crisis System Landscape- Stabilize & Thrive has been scheduled for December 8th. The webinar will cover Ohio’s Crisis Systems Landscape Analysis and focus on the second two principles of building Ohio’s Crisis Services System- Stabilize and Thrive. Speakers for this session will include Kris Vilamaa, Owner and CEO of HealthCare Perspective, and Michelle Allison-Smith, Crisis System Administrator at OhioMHAS. Additionally, this session will highlight three Ohio programs that focus on crisis intervention with observation, crisis residential services, and crisis residential-RESPITE.

• The webinar is scheduled for December 8th, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  
• CEUs have been requested for Ohio social workers, counselors, SUD treatment and prevention professionals.
• The webinar will be free to attend, but advance registration is required. Register here.  

Marijuana Use Increases Risk of Heart Attacks, New Studies Suggest

Two new studies suggest that regular use of marijuana could be linked to a higher risk of heart failure or heart attack, especially among older people. 

The preliminary findings of the studies, which have yet to be published, will be presented next week at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2023 in Philadelphia.

When Will Ohioans Be Able to Purchase Recreational Marijuana?

What does Issue 2 do? 

Ohioans 21 years and older can legally consume or possess cannabis on and after Dec. 7. It legalizes 2.5 ounces of adult-use cannabis and 15 grams of extract. 

People may also grow up to six plants for personal use, with a limit of 12 plants per household. 

When can I buy recreational marijuana in Ohio? 

Getting legal products will be the biggest issue in the coming months. There won’t be licensed dispensaries for months as the Department of Commerce creates rules and regulations around licensing. “There will not be any place for Ohioans to purchase legal marijuana in a licensed dispensary because the dispensaries won't be licensed for six to nine months depending on how quickly the Department of Commerce will move," said Jana Hrdinova, who is the administrative director of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. 

Ohio’s recreational marijuana law could also change before it goes into effect if the General Assembly works fast enough. Some lawmakers have signaled they want changes to the law or want to attempt to overturn it entirely.  “They do have the power to change anything about it. If there are provisions they don't like or feel won't be safe for the public, they can change anything they would like in the statute,” said Hrdinova.  

What does marijuana legalization mean for employers in Ohio?

Even though the law will take effect on Dec. 7, there aren’t protections for Ohio employees using marijuana.