4 Tips for Applying for a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy legalized medical marijuana in 2016 and built a robust framework to oversee cultivation, regulate dispensaries, and issue medical marijuana cards to patients. Today, you can manage the symptoms of your qualifying medical condition with several forms of medical-grade cannabis.
As of October 2022, Ohio has over 160,000 active medical marijuana patients. The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program is structured to ensure patient access, safety, and convenience.
Obtaining your card requires consultation with a doctor, submission of an application, and annual registration fees. If you’re a minor (under 18 years of age), you must designate a caregiver who’s at least 21 years of age as part of the application process. You can complete the entire process online and begin purchasing medical marijuana as soon as you’re added to Ohio’s patient registry.
Understanding the application process will shorten the turnaround time to get your card. Read on to learn about the program requirements, the steps for applying, and what to expect at a medical marijuana dispensary.
Schedule Your Appointment with A Ohio Medical Marijuana Doctor
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Ensure You Have a Qualifying Medical Condition
Ohio doctors are only authorized to issue recommendations for medical cannabis to patients with a qualifying medical condition. The state of Ohio only accepts the following diagnoses:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Ulcerative colitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord disease or injury
- Terminal illness
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spasticity
Meet with a Reliable Medical Marijuana Doctor
The first step is to consult with a qualified medical marijuana doctor. Physicians are not required to issue medical marijuana recommendations, so your doctor may not participate. The State Medical Board has an interactive map of physicians authorized to recommend cannabis in Ohio.
Your medical marijuana consultation can be completed in person or using telehealth services. The provider will ask you about your medical condition and how it impacts your life. Being open and comprehensive with the doctor about your symptoms will help them best understand your case so they can explain how cannabis can help.
Ask all the questions you have about medical marijuana and how to use it. Once the doctor concludes you are eligible and will likely benefit, they will issue the recommendation and electronically enroll you in the state registry. Be sure to provide them with a valid email address.
Apply for and Obtain Your MMJ Card
Once enrolled in the registry by the physician, you will receive an email invitation to create an online portal account. Your authorization for medical marijuana automatically links to your account. You cannot register for an account without first seeing a physician.
As part of your medical marijuana consultation, you will need to show the doctor your valid Ohio ID or a combination of documents to prove your identity and Ohio residency.
Once logged in, you only need to review the demographic information entered by your doctor. Be sure to confirm your address is correct and sign off on the attestations. You can then pay the $50 registration fee using Visa, Discover, or Mastercard.
Once you submit your application fee, you will receive prompt approval. You may then print your registry card through your online account dashboard. The card is valid for one year.
Start Visiting Ohio Dispensaries
Your MMJ identification card will allow you to shop at any dispensary in Ohio. The state has established dispensaries in many of its major cities, such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Staff members at dispensaries can help you determine which forms and strains of cannabis are best suited for managing your symptoms. You can legally purchase oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, lotions, creams, patches, and vape products.
Ohio allows patients with medical cannabis cards to possess up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana products. Your purchases are split into two 45-day purchase windows. The dispensary will log and track your transactions to ensure you do not exceed the limit.
Contact the Sanctuary for Your Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Needs
If you experience symptoms from a medical condition that compromise your quality of life, the use of medical marijuana may offer relief. The Sanctuary is staffed by an experienced team that believes in the therapeutic value of cannabis and is up-to-date on the latest Ohio program updates.
After answering your questions about the application process, we will refer you to an experienced Ohio medical marijuana doctor to obtain your recommendation. Then our staff help you compile a winning application. Working together, we can ensure that you get approved, receive an MMJ ID card, and gain access to Ohio dispensaries as soon as possible.
Contact us today to learn more.