Find a Doctor & Get a Medical Cannabis Card in Ohio
Is cannabis legal in Ohio?
Yes, cannabis is legal for medical use only in Ohio. The state of Ohio enacted the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP) in 2016, allowing patients with qualifying medical conditions to a medical marijuana card to access and use medical cannabis.
Under the program, patients who are Ohio residents and have obtained a recommendation from a certified medical marijuana doctor and have registered with the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program can legally purchase and use medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries in the state.
However, it’s important to note that while medical cannabis is legal in Ohio, recreational use of cannabis is still illegal. Possession, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis for non-medical purposes are prohibited under Ohio law.
Ohio’s medical marijuana program allows registered patients to obtain and use medical marijuana products from state-licensed dispensaries, but home cultivation is not permitted. Growing cannabis for recreational purposes is also illegal in Ohio.
Who qualifies for an Ohio medical marijuana card?
To be eligible for an Ohio medical marijuana card, potential medical marijuana patients must fulfill the following criteria:
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- If you’re under 18 years old, you need to have an assigned caregiver who is at least 21 years old.
- You should have one of the qualifying medical conditions specified by the state.
- Proof of Ohio residency is required to establish that you are a legal resident of the state.
- You must schedule an appointment with a licensed physician who specializes in Ohio medical card certifications, which can be obtained with Compassionate Clinics of America. The doctor will assess your condition and determine whether you meet the qualifications for a medical marijuana card in Ohio
The following conditions qualify Ohio residents for a medical marijuana card:
- AIDS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Severe, intractable, or chronic pain (including arthritis, chronic migraines, and complex regional pain syndrome)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Positive status for HIV
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Spasticity
- Spinal cord disease or injury
- Terminal illness
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
How do I get a medical cannabis card in Ohio?
When you work with Compassionate Clinics of America, we make it easy to get a medical marijuana card in the state of Ohio. It just involves a few easy steps to certify patients, all of which can be done online within the comfort of your own home using telemedicine.
First, schedule a telemedicine appointment with one of the knowledgeable physicians at Compassionate Clinics of America who are specializing in medical marijuana.
At your appointment, with our Ohio marijuana doctor, you will be able to discuss your qualifying conditions and how medical marijuana may be of benefit to you. An appointment does not take more than a few minutes.
Upon receiving the doctor’s recommendation and after state registration, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy will issue your medical marijuana card electronically, delivered directly to your email. You will then be able to obtain medical marijuana from a state-licensed dispensary.
If you have any questions about registering with indigent or veteran status, please call the Ohio Medical Marijuana Toll-Free Helpline at 1-833-4OH-MMCP (1-833-464-6627), or contact the Board via email at [email protected].
What are the benefits of having a medical cannabis card?
Obtaining a medical marijuana card in Ohio is the only legal way to consume cannabis and getting cannabis from an Ohio dispensary is the only legal way to obtain it. In the event of contact with law enforcement regarding cannabis, presenting your marijuana card establishes the legality of your possession, transportation, and consumption of medical cannabis products, providing legal protection.
Once you obtain your Ohio marijuana card, you gain the ability to visit any cannabis dispensary in the state. These dispensaries offer a wide range of tested and verified medical marijuana products, including botanical marijuana flower for vaping, concentrates, oral sprays, tinctures, THC-infused edibles, lozenges, patches, lotions, topicals, high CBD products, and more. It must be noted that it is not legal to smoke cannabis in the state of Ohio.
Getting an Ohio Marijuana Card provides access not only to dispensaries within the state but the ability to purchase medical cannabis products in other states that participate in cannabis reciprocity. That is, if you are a medical marijuana patient in Ohio, you may be able to purchase medical marijuana in other states you are visiting using your Ohio medical marijuana card.
How much medical cannabis may I purchase with a medical marijuana card in Ohio?
Unlike most states, Ohio has a tiered possession limit. This allows a certain amount of THC-infused plant material to be accessed by a patient depending on the condition they have.
- A tier I medical cannabis cardholder can possess up to 8 ounces of cannabis with THC levels that do not exceed 23%
- A tier II medical cannabis cardholder can have up to 5.3 ounces of cannabis with THC levels that do not exceed 35%.
Certain types of products in Ohio have THC limits:
- Patches, lotions, creams, and additional topics can not exceed 26-55mg of THC
- cannabis oils, tinctures, capsules, and all other edibles can not exceed 9.9mg of THC.
- Up to 53.1mg of THC is allowable specifically for oil that is to be vaporized.
Again, it is not legal for cannabis to be smoked in the state of Ohio.
How much does it cost to get a medical marijuana card in Ohio?
The cost for a medical cannabis certification in Ohio with a medical marijuana doctor at Compassionate Clinics of America is $199. The renewal fee for a medical cannabis certification is $149.
We offer Sezzle payment options to break up the cost into separate, affordable payments.
In order to activate your medical cannabis card within the state of Ohio, you are required to submit an annual registration fee of $50, which can done via your patient portal in the state database.
What information and forms are required when a patient applies for a Medical Marijuana ID card?
When applying for a Medical Marijuana ID card in Ohio, qualified patients are typically required to provide the following information and forms:
- Personal Information: This includes the patient’s full name, date of birth, address, contact information, and proof of Ohio residency. Proof of residency can be established through documents such as a valid Ohio driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
- Medical Recommendation: Patients must obtain a written recommendation or certification from a certified healthcare provider registered with the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program to use medical marijuana in Ohio. This can be obtained through Compassionate Clinics of America. The recommendation should state that the patient has a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use in Ohio.
- Medical Records: Patients should gather relevant medical records and documentation that support their qualifying medical condition before they meet with the Compassionate Clinics of America medical marijuana doctor. These records may include medical diagnoses, treatment history, and any other pertinent medical information.
- Consent Form: Qualifying patients need to sign a consent form that authorizes the release of their medical information to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.
- Application Form: Patients are required to complete the official application form provided by the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. The application form collects personal details, medical information, and other necessary data.
- Passport-Style Photo: A recent passport-style photograph of the patient is typically required for identification purposes.
- Application Fee: Patients are required to pay an application fee at the time of submission. The fee amount varies and is set by the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.
As regulations and program processes can change without notice, it is important to consult the official guidelines and requirements provided by the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
How long is my ID card valid in Ohio?
Registration of a patient or caregiver will be valid from the date of issue and will expire one year later, the last day of the month it was given.
The patient’s registration expires after six months if the patient is diagnosed as terminally ill.
When can I renew my ID card?
We recommend you renew your medical marijuana card within 30-days of the expiration date. When you get your medical marijuana card, take note of its expiry date to ensure you do not receive an interruption in your ability to purchase medical marijuana using your medical marijuana card.
You can get your renewal for your medical marijuana card from Compassionate Clinics of America. It is okay to see a different doctor than the doctor you first discussed your card with.
You will be required to submit the renewal application and accompanying fee through the Registry platform.
I’ve heard I can renew my medical marijuana card in Ohio for $20. Where do I get a $20 medical card renewal in Ohio?
While some companies may make the claim that they can renew your card for just $20, no such company actually exists.
The cost to renew your medical marijuana certification with a physician at Compassionate Clinics of America is $149. We are with you every step of the way throughout the entire process, making it as easy and seamless as possible for you.
I live in another state, can I apply?
Unfortunately, Ohio does not recognize marijuana cards issued by other states. You must be an Ohio resident to obtain a medical card in the state and purchase medical cannabis.
Can I become a medical cannabis designated caregiver in Ohio?
Individuals can become medical cannabis caregivers in Ohio under specific conditions. An adult caregiver assists registered medical marijuana patients with obtaining and using medical marijuana.
Requirements include being 21 or older, having a designated patient with an Ohio medical cannabis card, submitting an application with personal details and proof of residency, undergoing a background check, and completing a two-hour caregiver training program.
Approved designated caregivers receive an ID card and are placed in the caregiver registry allowing them to help patients access and administer medical marijuana.
Familiarity with Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program guidelines is essential. Caregiving and being in the state’s caregiver registry is an important role as it offers the opportunity to support patients in their medical marijuana journey.
Can I use medical marijuana anywhere in Ohio?
In Ohio, the use of cannabis is restricted to private property for medical marijuana patients who have obtained a valid medical marijuana card.
Patients are generally allowed to use medical marijuana in their own homes or on private property with the permission of the property owner.
Public consumption of cannabis is strictly prohibited, and using cannabis in public places, including parks, sidewalks, streets, and other public areas, is against the law.
Can I own a gun and have a medical cannabis card in Ohio?
In Ohio, it’s technically illegal to purchase medical marijuana if you have a concealed-carry permit or apply for a firearms permit while holding an Ohio medical marijuana card. However, this restriction is not due to Ohio’s stringent regulations on guns and marijuana but stems from federal government rules. Federal law prohibits the use, purchase, or possession of a firearm by registered medical marijuana patients until marijuana is no longer classified as a Schedule I drug.
Thankfully, Ohio’s patient registration information is protected and inaccessible to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), used by law enforcement and gun sellers to determine firearm eligibility. As a result, the federal government is unlikely to be aware of your medical marijuana use or firearm possession unless you commit a federal offense. Ohio law also exempts same-state private gun sales from background checks, offering some flexibility for gun ownership. However, it’s crucial to understand that you won’t be shielded by state or federal laws, and any federal violations could add to your legal troubles.
How long does it take to process my application?
You can get your medical marijuana card online with the state medical board. Upon approval of your medical card application and payment of the registration fee to the state board, you will have the immediate ability to print your card.
Can a doctor complete a medical marijuana certification via telehealth?
Yes! The meeting with a Compassionate Clinics of America medical marijuana doctor is completely done through telemedicine. You can have a video call with a knowledgeable physician from the comfort of your own home,
When does the physician certification for an Ohio medical card expire?
The Ohio medical card is valid for a period of one (1) year, and must be renewed annually.
Questions About Medical Cannabis Certification in Ohio?
Feel free to connect with us anytime at [email protected] or call us at (888) 611-4820.
For frequently asked questions about Ohio’s medical cannabis program, visit their website at the link below:
