Ohio Cannabis Information Portal
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FAQ - Ohio Medical Marijuana Card

  1. Ohio Cannabis
  2. Medical Marijuana Card
  3. FAQ

CAN I GET AN OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD ONLINE?

Yes, you can get a medical marijuana card online if you are diagnosed with a medical condition that qualifies you for medical marijuana in Ohio. Consultations with the certifying health care providers are conducted via telehealth appointments and the application with the state is also done online.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS IN OHIO?

In order to qualify for the Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program, the patient must have one of the following conditions:

  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease)
  • Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Pain
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis (A, B, and C)
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Seizures
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Spinal Cord Injury / Disease
  • Stroke
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Traumatic Brain Injury

CAN I STILL APPLY FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN OHIO IF I DON’T HAVE A QUALIFYING CONDITION?

Under the current laws in Ohio, residents can apply for the inclusion in the Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control System only if their certifying physician recommends cannabis in writing for a listed condition.

HOW SOON WILL I RECEIVE AN ANSWER AFTER PAYING FOR THE CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT?

Your medical provider will give you their advice and recommendations during your consultation.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE APPOINTMENT WITH A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?

During your appointment with a medical cannabis practitioner, it's important to have all necessary documents ready, including proof of identity, proof of residency, and any available documentation about your existing medical conditions. Make sure to submit all the required info prior to the appointment.

The practitioner reviews your provided information and conducts an evaluation based on the medical and state’s requirements.

Note: If you're applying with an indigent or veteran status, your doctor needs to note this during the creation of your profile in the registry.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE APPOINTMENT WITH A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?

When your medical practitioner identifies a qualifying condition and suggests medical marijuana, they will set up your profile in the Patient & Caregiver Registry, including their recommendation. The physician may also suggest particular products and define refill guidelines for you, allowing for a recommendation of up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana, with the possibility of four refills (adding up to 360 days).

Be sure to check your email for follow-up instructions related to your appointment. Look for the subject line: "Additional instructions for your medical card"

HOW CAN I PAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

You can pay for your appointment using major Credit Cards. All fees associated with Ohio State Cannabis will be reflected as charges from BookingPortal.org on your billing statement.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD DECISION IN OHIO?

Once approved by the state-licensed certifying health care provider, the recommending physician creates your profile in the Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control System’s Patient & Caregiver Registry, so you can complete the application online.

With the created profile, confirm your information, pay the state fee, and as soon the application is processed and approved you can download and/or print your Ohio Medical Cannabis Card for immediate use. Most online applications are approved by OMMCP on the same day.

Ohio does not require a physical MMJ card, so you can show the downloaded printout or the electronic copy on your phone at the dispensary.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST TO GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN OHIO?

The cost of the appointment with the doctor is your total cost to be able to obtain a medical marijuana card in Ohio.

As of 4 March 2024 the annual fee for Ohio residents was lowered from $50 for patients and $25 for caregivers, to $0.01. The State of Ohio plans on completely eliminating the annual fee in the near future.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY? HOW DOES MONEY BACK WORK?

If you do not receive approval for medical cannabis following your meeting with a medical provider, you can receive a full refund for your certification appointment. We cannot provide a refund for your certification appointment if your application for medical cannabis is denied by the state or if you are ineligible to apply as a medical patient.

Cannabis certification appointments are subject to the refund terms of a third-party booking and scheduling service.

DO YOU GUARANTEE A POSITIVE DECISION ON THE ISSUANCE OF A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

The decision of a certifying health care provider is based on the medical condition of the patient. While we cannot guarantee that you will get approved, we guarantee the refund of the money if you meet the qualifications but the appointment does not result in an approval.

CAN I RENEW MY OHIO MEDICAL CARD WITH YOU IF I WAS SEEN BY A DIFFERENT DOCTOR LAST YEAR?

Yes, renewing your medical card can be done by any health care provider licensed by the state of Ohio to certify cannabis patients.

WHY GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN OHIO?

In Ohio, having a medical marijuana card enables you to legally buy and consume cannabis for medical reasons.

There are various reasons to get medical-grade cannabis versus the recreationally-accessible “adult-use” cannabis, but the most important distinction in Ohio is the TAX:

  • Medical cannabis users in OH pay the standard sales tax of 5.75%, while adult-use purchase is subject to a 10%-15% additional “recreational” excise tax. With an average medical cannabis user spending $300 or more per month on marijuana, the medical cannabis card can help you save over $500 in taxes over the course of the 1-year card term.

HOW LONG IS A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD IN OHIO GOOD FOR?

Ohio medical cannabis certification is good for 1 year, expiring on the date of registration. You can renew your medical card up to 30 days before the expiration date, by getting recertified by a state-registered medical practitioner.

HOW DO I CANCEL MY OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM CARD?

If no longer needed, the medical cannabis card can be voluntarily relinquished in your Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program’s Profile. Once surrendered, you can no longer purchase medical marijuana.

If you do not renew the certification, your card will expire 1 year after issuance.

CAN I USE MY OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN OTHER STATES?

Fifteen states and territories offer some forms of medical marijuana card reciprocity or allow patients from Ohio to obtain a temporary out-of-state card while visiting:

  • Arkansas
  • Hawaii
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington D.C.

The following states offer legalized adult (recreational) use of cannabis:

  • Alaska

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • Illinois

  • Maine

  • Maryland

  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • Missouri

  • Montana

  • Nevada

  • New Jersey

  • New Mexico

  • New York

  • Oregon

  • Rhode Island

  • Vermont

  • Virginia

  • Washington

  • Washington D.C.

Note: According to the Federal law, possession of cannabis is illegal, and so is traveling with it across the state lines.

WILL HEALTH INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF MY OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

No. Since cannabis is considered a Schedule I substance, it is illegal at the federal level. This fact bars cannabis from coverage by health insurance.

Note: Once medical cannabis is rescheduled by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a Schedule III or higher, then it may be officially included in the health insurer’s drug formulary list and/or paid for using Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Unit then health insurance doesn't cover it.

CAN I GET A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD IN OHIO WITHOUT A STATE ID?

No, in order for the certifying medical practitioner to approve the application for medical cannabis, every patient must provide proof of residency in Ohio, by showing their state-issued ID. The certification is issued using the information listed on the provided ID.