Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program

State Jurisdiction: Ohio Department of Commerce

Phone: 1-833-464-6627 (Toll-free)

Website: Ohio Medical MMJ Control Program

Registering for the Ohio Medical MJ Control Program

Patients are required to have a recommendation from a licensed mj physician before they can start their application for an Ohio medical mj card. After receiving your signed medical mj certification, you may begin the registration process in the Ohio Medical MJ Registry. Take note of the following application criteria:

Patients must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply.
Minor patients may designate a caregiver, such as one of their parents, to apply on their behalf.
You must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition recognized by the state of Ohio (listed below).
You must be an Ohio resident with proof of residency. This may come in the form of a state-issued driver’s license or an Ohio State ID Card.
Along with their physician-issued medical recommendation and valid form of ID, all patients are required to pay a state application fee of $50. Veteran status or indigent status may qualify you for a 50% fee reduction.
Out-of-state applicants are not eligible to receive a medical card in Ohio.

A Brief History of the Ohio Medical MJ Control Program

With the approval of its mj legislature back in June of 2016, Ohio began giving its residents access to mj use for medical reasons.

OH patients suffering from debilitating illnesses such as ALS, PTSD, and cancer, among the state’s many other qualifying conditions, now gain quick and easy access to the medication they require. What follows is the natural creation of the Ohio mj laws, concerning both current and future participants in the OH MMP.

The Ohio Medical MJ Control Program, running under the state’s Department of Public Health, oversees the operation of the Ohio medical mj laws and regulations. Through House Bill 523, qualified patients are allowed the legal possession of up to a 90-day supply, a quantity that is calculated through the state’s Board of Pharmacy based on the patient’s unique needs.

Another noteworthy regulation is that Ohio patients are not allowed to medicate via smoking hemp. It can instead be administered through vaporization, CBD oils, applied tincture, edible consumption, and/or mj patches.

How to Get a Medical MJ Card in Ohio

Getting a medical card in Ohio is not hard as long as you have a qualifying condition. The first step would be to get a recommendation from a certified mj doctor in Ohio.

Getting your MJ Recommendation

Getting a medical mj recommendation in Ohio is easier than you might think.

We can help you schedule an online appointment with a licensed Ohio medical mj doctor today. To get started, fill out our sign-up form – it only takes a few minutes!

Once you’ve done that, you and your chosen doctor will have a conversation about why medical mj may be beneficial for your treatment, and they will make a decision based on your specific medical condition. Appointments usually take between 10 to 15 minutes and are all done online via Doxy.

How to Qualify for the Ohio Medical MJ Control Program

Consider opening up the discussion about medical mj with one of our healthcare practitioners if you are currently suffering from one or more of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Ohio:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cachexia
Cancer
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Crohn’s Disease (IBD)
Epilepsy or Another Seizure Disorder
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
Huntington’s Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s Disease
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD)
Pain (chronic or severe)
Sickle Cell Anemia
Spinal Cord Disease or Injury
Terminal Illnesses
Tourette’s Syndrome
Traumatic Brain Injury
Ulcerative Colitis (IBD)

The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) convenes regularly to review the petitions for new qualifying conditions to be included in the OMMCP, with their last virtual meeting on June 9th, 2021. The next petition submission period is scheduled for Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021.

Medicaid and the Ohio Medical Card Guidelines

Unfortunately, mj’s federal status as a Schedule I drug currently prevents Medicaid and other similar medical insurances from covering your medical mj treatment.

However, there are two FDA-approved mj-based medications that Medicaid will cover if they are prescribed for your treatment:

Dronabinol – made up of synthethic THC, Dronabinol is a common medication used to combat the weight loss effects of AIDS and Cancer treatment, stimulating appetite and counteracting the effects of the “wasting” phenomenon.
Epidolex – a non-synthetic cannabidiol medication, Epidolex is often used to prevent seizures affecting patients suffering from epilepsy, especially in children.

Ohio Medical MJ Card

Learn what you have to do to obtain mj treatment in Ohio, and find out what the life of a medical mj patient is like.

Check out how to get an Ohio Medical MJ Card for extensive information on submitting your application for the patient registry, obtaining a med card, renewing it, as well as any other questions and curiosities you might have.

Ohio MMJ Laws

As a law-abiding citizen carrying the medical privileges provided by your ID card, you should be aware of both the benefits and the responsibilities of your MMJ patient status:

Your patient status provides you with access to a 90-day supply of mj, a unique quantity that is established by your recommending physician once you have begun your treatment. There is no legal reason for you to possess any mj beyond that explicitly set limit.

Your patient status does NOT give you the right to grow mj plants on your own property. Any and all medical mj you intend to use need to be purchased from a licensed Ohio dispensary.

Personal sales are highly prohibited by the court of law and you should NOT engage with them in any way, shape, or form.

If your treatment includes hashish-based products OR any other type of mj concentrate, know that the regulations for unlawful use remain the same. The state of OH treats hash and concentrates just as it treats mj – as a schedule I drug.

MJ paraphernalia (such as bongs, tobacco blunts, rolling paper) is NOT necessary for any type of mj treatment. You have no legal excuse for possessing such an item, or, similar to cultivation, to be using it in order to create your own medication.

You can find a comprehensive list of mj-related penalties and regulations on our dedicated Ohio MJ Laws page.

Find Medical MJ Dispensaries in Ohio

There are 57 operational Ohio medical mj dispensaries. The cities of Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland lead the way in terms of dispensary numbers. Household names include Bloom Medicinals, Terrasana, and Buckeye Botanicals.

To buy medical mj from Ohio medical mj dispensaries, patients must provide a valid Ohio medical mj card and government-issued identification. There are many forms of medical mj available to medical mj patients in Ohio. For example, mj flower, concentrates, oils for vaporization, edibles, tinctures, pre-loaded mj oil vape cartridges, and topicals.

Check out the official OMMCP list of medical mj dispensaries to view all the operational dispensaries in Ohio with a Certificate of Operation.

Common questions about the Ohio Medical MJ Control Program

How do I apply for an Ohio medical marijuana card?

1. Schedule your QMC appointment to speak with an Ohio MMJ doctor and get a marijuana recommendation.
2. Apply as a patient with the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.
3. Complete and submit your application for an Ohio medical marijuana card.
4. Pay the fee for your Ohio medical card.
5. Download your digital medical marijuana card.

How long is the complete process from application to final approval in Ohio?

Getting an Ohio medical marijuana card may take 1 to 2 days. The consultation with an Ohio medical marijuana doctor with QuickMedCards will take around 10 – 15 minutes. Next, approved patients will get their marijuana recommendation a few moments later. Afterward, patients must register with the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP). Patients can finish their application in one sitting if they have all the required documents on hand. Finally, after making the payment, patients get their digital Ohio medical card immediately.

How long does it take for Ohio to process my medical marijuana application?

After a successful payment, your Ohio medical marijuana card gets activated immediately. You have the option of downloading your Ohio medical card to be printed or showing it on your mobile device when making purchases.

Where are the dispensaries in OH? Is there a dispensary near me?

You can buy medical marijuana from 55 licensed marijuana dispensaries in Ohio. These dispensaries span across the state, with Columbus having the lion’s share of active establishments.

Once I get my card, what type of medicine can I buy from OH dispensaries?

There are various forms of medical marijuana available to Ohio patients. For example, edibles, lotions, creams, oils, plant material (for vaping), tinctures, and patches. However, smokable marijuana and any form that may entice children are illegal.

How do I contact the Ohio medical cannabis program?

You can contact the Ohio medical cannabis program(Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program) officially through their contact form or by calling the Toll-Free Helpline: 1-833-4OH-MMCP (1-833-46-6627)

Can I smoke marijuana in public in Ohio?

No. First of all, smoking marijuana in Ohio is illegal. In addition, Ohio marijuana laws prohibit the consumption of marijuana in public spaces.

Can I grow medical marijuana in Ohio?

No. Ohio marijuana laws prohibit growing marijuana, whether it is for personal, family, or household use.

Do I have to be a resident of Ohio to join the medical marijuana program?

Yes, only residents of Ohio qualify for the medical marijuana program. Proof of Ohio residency includes a valid Ohio driver’s license or a valid Ohio ID card issued by the BMV.

How much is medical marijuana in Ohio?

Medical marijuana is affordable in Ohio compared to most legal states. Patients can buy medicinal cannabis for under $20 in the Buckeye state. Even so, price is dependent on the dispensary, form of medical marijuana, amount of cannabis, and the type of strain.

Can you smoke medical marijuana in Ohio?

No. Ohio medical marijuana law prohibits the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion. But vaping medical marijuana is legal in Ohio.

How much is an ounce in Ohio?

Usually, an ounce of medical marijuana in Ohio starts from around $273.27. However, this price depends on the dispensary and type of strain.

Will my registration status be made publicly available?

No. The law protects your information, and neither the Board of Pharmacy, licensed dispensary, or your marijuana doctor can make your information public. Additionally, QuickMedCards is fully HIPAA compliant, so all your information is safe with us.

How much medical marijuana will a registered patient or caregiver be able to possess at one time?

Registered patients and caregivers cannot possess more than a 90-day supply of medical marijuana.

Want to always be in the loop? Check out the OMMCP’s news section for monthly updates on the status of Ohio’s laws, regulations, and patient guidelines.