Cannabis delivers many patients a way to manage their medical disorders and symptoms. Each state has its own requirements. Follow our guides to see if you might qualify for your state’s Medical Cannabis program, how to Get an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card, and particulars about the procedure.

About Ohio Medical Marijuana Card

When Governor John Kasich signed off on HB 523 Ohio legalized medical cannabis in June 2016. The state permitted a two-a-year window to form the program, letting qualified patients travel to Michigan in the interim to get their medicine legally. Sales officially started in-state in January 2019.

The passage of medical marijuana rules follows a decades-long legalization fight. In 1975, Ohio decriminalized ownership of up to 100 grams of cannabis. In 2015, voters failed to pass a measure that would have permitted adult-use cannabis laws.

Ohio’s cities and metropolises have continued to review local ordinances in current years. Such efforts saw fines for possession reduced to $10 in particular towns, while some cities passed decriminalization measures of their own.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio officials approved protective measures for consumers and dispensary staff. Allowances contain placing phone orders plus curbside pick-up at dispensaries.

How to Get an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card?

Stage 1. See a Certified Physician

The first phase to become a medical marijuana patient is to start and maintain a bona fide physician-patient association with a certified doctor.

Those persons interested in becoming a caregiver to a medical marijuana patient will follow these similar basic steps, including a visit to a qualified physician.

• Certified Physicians: 

Physicians who wish to commend medical marijuana in Ohio must have an active Credential to Recommend (CTR) from the State Medical Board of Ohio. If your present physician does not have an active CTR, the state maintains a database of qualified physicians that you could search to find a physician who is correct for you: https://med.ohio.gov/Publications/CTR-Search.

• Annual Visit: 

An in-person visit with a certified doctor is required at least one time per year. The cost of the visit would differ from physician to physician–thus you may want to query about the cost of your visit previous to scheduling.

Remember, only patients with one or more of Ohio’s eligible medical conditions are eligible for the program. Your doctor will need evidence of the qualifying condition; for example, proof of diagnosis.

• Required Identification: 

The doctor will require the patient’s legal Ohio driver’s license, a legal Ohio identification card issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), or else a valid United States passport.

• Patient Registry: 

Certified doctors have access to the state’s Patient Registry and will submit their commendations for a patient to obtain medical marijuana straight to the Patient Registry.

• Caregivers: 

A registered caregiver might own and administer medical marijuana to patients with whom the caregiver’s registration is related. The certified doctor will need a similar ID from a caregiver to establish their profile in the Patient Registry. Eligible caregivers must meet the program’s Eligibility Rules.

• 90-Day Supply: 

A certified doctor can recommend up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana with three refills (adding up to a 360-day supply if suitable for the patient).

Stage 2. Complete your registration

• Login to your profile

 Once the recommending doctor has entered the patient or caregiver into the registry, the patient/caregiver will receive an email prompting them to log in to their profile in the Patient Registry. In the portal, complete your application plus pay the fee.

• Pay Fee

The yearly cost of a medical marijuana registering is $50 for patients plus $25 for caregivers. Patients who qualify for indigent or veteran status might be authorized for fee reductions.

When do I get my card? 

When you have completed your profile and paid the registration fee, you could print a copy of your card from the Patient Registry website. Though, you do not need to bring a printed copy of your card while you visit the dispensary.

• Purchasing Medicinal Marijuana in Ohio

Ohio’s medical marijuana system has been slow and inadequate in its rollout, and is still in its “start-up stage,” as per the program’s website. Granted, there are several parts to address; from cultivation plus manufacturing, the guideline of derivative products (tinctures, balms, etc.), and certifying of businesses and dispensaries to doctor registration, and consumer sales, as well as a host of other issues scattered about a governing minefield. Medical marijuana is being sold in Ohio now.

Here is how the system has been working so far:

1. Opening the Program

The first medical marijuana dispensaries started on January 16, 2019. From that date, there were only four retail stores in the state of Ohio. Several of the patients first in line comprised activists, individuals recovering from opioid addiction, veterans with PTSD, and others passionate about Ohio’s slow, albeit progressive, progress on the matter of marijuana. Most residents will see more convenient or local dispensaries till more open this spring.

2. The First Month

In the first two and a half weeks of legitimate sales alone, the state’s medical-marijuana program reportedly sold almost 70 pounds of medical marijuana for approximately $500,000. In the first month, sales were almost $1 million.

3. Cultivation and Manufacturing

Growing and cultivation of medical marijuana at home are not allowed, even for authorized patients and caregivers. The cultivation of medical marijuana is firmly regulated by the Control Program. Along with extensive registration and continuing reporting requirements, growers are moreover subject to periodic checks, as well as a list of operation guidelines and a “quality assurance plan.” In addition to the constant revelation of federal charges for these operations, cultivators might face repercussions from the state for non-compliance or other assumed crimes.

4. Product Availability

At the time of its opening, medical marijuana made available through the state’s program is available only in “flower” form (which ironically conflicts with the legislation permitting only the vaporization of marijuana, or use via edibles, tinctures, oils, and patches). As licensing issues are processed and the industry expands, there will likely be other cannabis products available at licensed dispensaries, including edibles and topical. Ohio officials have publicly noted the industry might be “unable to deliver a full supply” of cannabis products to all licensed dispensaries till “later in 2019.”

5. Prices

Since there were only a few dozen strains of medical marijuana being developed by 14 cultivators, the supply of medical marijuana in Ohio might be limited, even though more than twice that number of cultivators have been certified to grow. That’s not the most perfect situation for customers and particularly patients on disability with restricted income. However, once more cultivators start producing, and more medical marijuana becomes available, the present higher prices patients are paying (roughly $50 for 2.83 grams of flower, otherwise upwards of $470 an ounce) would likely come down.

6. Amount / Packaging

As with other states that have legalized medical marijuana for entertaining or medical uses, Ohio has guidelines about how medical marijuana could be sold. This includes requirements that it be pre-packaged plus sold in amounts of 2.83 grams, otherwise one-tenth of an ounce (or an “Ohio tenth”).

Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Eligibility

You must be at best 18 years of age; if under 18, you must have a caregiver who is at least 21 years of age

1. Proof of Ohio residency

A valid state-issued identification card, driver’s license, or passport

A letter from your physician stating you are entitled to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Program

A doctor’s letter authorizing that your chronic or debilitating medical condition is treatable with medical marijuana plus that you are registered in the Ohio Prescription Monitoring Program

2. Qualifying Conditions

The Ohio Medical Board must approve each patient’s disorders or symptoms. There are presently 25 conditions qualified for marijuana treatment, and that list expands every year.

Ohio state law permits the use of medical marijuana in very precise and limited conditions. If you are suffering from one of the disorders listed below, you might qualify for a medical marijuana card:

AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, Cancer, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Crohn’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), fibromyalgia, glaucoma, Hepatitis C, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, and multiple sclerosis. Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, ulcerative colitis, traumatic brain injury, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Tourette’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, HIV, Sickle Cell Anemia, Spinal Cord Disease, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or physical injury.

​Why Get an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card?

1. Effective Treatment

Ohio residents living with a disorder that qualifies for medical marijuana in Ohio could now get natural relief over cannabis! We sturdily recommend initiating a medical marijuana regimen under the management of one of our doctors, to get the most out of this effective treatment. Each Ohio marijuana physician has a deep understanding of the advantages of cannabis, its side effects, and how to use it to treat your symptoms. 

At Ohio Marijuana Card, our physicians are not only certified by the state of Ohio, but they have also taken continuing medical cannabis education courses. This confirms they have the most significant and up-to-date info about the therapeutic advantages of medical marijuana.

2. Legal Protection

Your Ohio Marijuana Card makes it easy to reveal to law enforcement that you are registered with Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program’s Patient Registry. When you show them your marijuana card, they would know it is legal for you to possess, transport, and consume medical cannabis products.

3. Dispensary Access

Medical marijuana has been approved in Ohio as an effective and low-risk alternative for treating the symptoms associated with 25 diverse conditions. Once you have your Ohio marijuana card in hand, you will be able to shop at any cannabis dispensary in the state! There, you can buy medical marijuana that has been verified and tested for potency and purity. 

The list of cannabis products accessible in Ohio is continually expanding. When you visit a dispensary, you will be able to find botanical marijuana flowers for vaping, oral sprays, concentrates, tinctures, lozenges, patches, lotions, and other topical, THC-infused edibles, high CBD products, and more!

4. Access to the Other States ​

An Ohio Marijuana Card gets you access to every cannabis dispensary in the state, but you might end up getting more value than you originally expected! Many states with medical marijuana laws lengthen reciprocity with their programs. This means that Ohio residents with a medical marijuana patient ID might be able to purchase cannabis products while traveling to other states.

5. Possession as well as Growing

With your Ohio medical marijuana card in hand, you will be able to access any of the dispensaries and legally buy marijuana products for medical use.

Patients and caregivers are legalized by law to own up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana, to be determined by the doctor. Per state law, a patient who buys a 30-day supply from their first dispensary trip would be restricted to no more than a 60-day supply of medical marijuana till 90 days afterward the initial purchase.

Smoking is not an accepted process of delivery, as per HB 523. As per Ohio’s medical marijuana rule, “Only the following forms of medical marijuana might be dispensed under this chapter: oils, plant material, patches”. Vaping is permitted.

The form of ingestion must not appear attractive to children, so this means no sweets and bright colors could be sold.

In light of Covid-19 and an upsurge in medical cannabis demand, the ordering procedures have been adapted. Patients could now buy MMJ in two 45-day windows instead of having to wait for 90 days. These orders could also be taken over the phone and arranged for curbside pickup to permit safe social distancing practices. It is possible that these practices would continue after the pandemic too.

Holding an MMJ Card is the only technique to confirm legal protection. Recall, that cannabis remains federally unlawful. This also means that insurance companies would not cover costs.

Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Cost 

Many people wonder, how much does medical marijuana cost in Ohio? Beforehand you start shopping for cannabis products, you will need to pay a fee to get your medical card. The fee for most persons to get their medical marijuana card in Ohio is $50. You will need to pay this fee yearly to renew your card. If you are a caregiver, you’ll only need to pay $25 yearly to get a medical card for the patient. Some people might qualify for reduced fees, including veterans and people who need extra financial support.

You will also be required to pay a fee to consult with a medical marijuana physician and get your approval. This fee will vary depending on which physician you consult with. It’s significant to note that these charges are typically not covered by insurance.

How Long Will It Take To Get Marijuana Cards In Ohio?

The procedure of getting a medical marijuana card in Ohio normally takes less than a month. Your initial discussion with your doctor would take less than an hour. Once you’ve gotten your email link to register, you will be able to complete the application in approximately 30 minutes or less. Then you’ll need to wait for the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy to approve it, which could take anywhere from 72 hours to two weeks. The procedure can vary depending on your specific conditions.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Ohio

If you’re wondering where to purchase medical marijuana in Ohio, you will have plenty of alternatives. There are lots of Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries positioned in main cities and towns across the state. You will need to show your medical card along with your government-issued ID to enter the dispensary. Once inside, you will be able to shop for several popular cannabis products.

How often does my medical cannabis card need to be renewed?

The Ohio medical cannabis program needs patients to renew their certificates every year.

Q: How much is medical marijuana in Ohio?

In Ohio, the cost of medical marijuana could vary depending on the kind and size of the product you are buying, along with the grower you are purchasing from. Since Ohio does not permit its patients to smoke marijuana, it is not sold in its flower form, which makes it tough to calculate the average price per gram. Generally, products like edibles and tinctures are somewhat more costly than their flower counterparts, thus patients should prepare to pay somewhat more per product than they would in another state. 

It is also significant to note that there are fees related to getting your medical marijuana card. The Ohio medical marijuana registry charges applicants a fee of $50, though some patients might qualify for a reduced fee. You will moreover need to pay for your doctor’s consultation, as insurance plans would not cover it. 

Q: Is marijuana legalized in Ohio?

For years, several people wondered “when will medical marijuana be legalized in Ohio?” Marijuana is verified to help with a wide variant of medical disorders.  And there was a sturdy push to expand medical marijuana programs all over the United States. 

Does Ohio have medical marijuana? In 2016, the state of Ohio voted to authorize marijuana for medical purposes only. The medical marijuana program did first sales in 2019. The medical marijuana program in Ohio is very exclusive in that it prohibits smoking cannabis products, though it does allow users with a medical marijuana card to use vaporizers along with edibles plus other forms of marijuana. 

Recreational marijuana is not presently legal in Ohio, though the state was one of the first to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana back in the 1970s. With the current wave of cannabis legalizations around the country, many people wonder, “when will marijuana be legal in Ohio for recreational purposes?” 

There have been initiatives to authorize recreational marijuana in Ohio in the past, most remarkably in 2015. However, there were concerns with the ballot measure and it eventually failed. Though this did set an example for recreational marijuana initiatives and we can see this issue come up again in the future. 

Q: When will medical marijuana be available in Ohio?

Medical marijuana has been obtainable in Ohio since 2019, which is when the first medical marijuana sales occurred. Now that the medical marijuana program has been launched, citizens with a medical marijuana card could visit any dispensary to get the products they need. Ohio presently has 58 dispensaries, however, they will be expanding the program with 73 more certificates next year. Dispensaries are consistently distributed through each district in Ohio to offer equitable access. 

Q: What kinds of cannabis products does an Ohio medical cannabis dispensary carry?

There are now several medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state. The medical marijuana dispensary locator has information about the dispensaries including discounts obtainable by qualified patients.

Patients with a medical marijuana id card could purchase cannabis at the Ohio Dispensaries.

Like most businesses, there’s now a mix of national dispensaries plus dispensaries local to Ohio across the state. Local cities have to approve Ohio dispensaries opening in their town. Presently, there are dispensaries now open in Columbus, Cleveland, Springfield, Sandusky, and more!

Budtenders at the dispensaries would review your certified doctor’s commendation and then will review diverse products they have that may help with some of your signs like anxiety, chronic pain, plus sleeping challenges. The dispensary reps are there to help you so feel free to share your cannabis experience and objectives. What types of cannabis medicine are accessible in Ohio?

• Flower (comprising 1/8ths, quarters, and ounces)
• Edibles (similar candies and chocolate bars)
• Extracts
• Tinctures
• Topicals
• Vapes

Q: What is an MMJ Caregiver and why have one?

Just like any other medical caregiver of a patient in need, an MMJ Caregiver is somebody who can administer medical marijuana to you. Luckily, they can also purchase, possess, and transport your marijuana to you as a registered patient. When you are registered as an Ohio MMJ Cardholder and patient, you can entitle somebody to provide your care for example a spouse, parent, guardian, partner, nurse, or anyone else to be your registered Caregiver. Registration fees for Caregivers are presently only $25 in the state of Ohio.

Conclusion

It is illegal for anybody without a card to possess, grow, or distribute medical marijuana in the state of Ohio.

Before applying for one, make certain you refer back to this article so you are well-informed about Ohio’s medical cannabis laws and the process of how to Get an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card