Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient Information

What Conditions can Medical Marijuana Be Used for?

To legally use medical marijuana, the patient must be suffering from health conditions provided under the Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules. The physician confirming and recommending medical marijuana for the patient must possess the Certificate to Recommend CTR. To apply for an MMJ card that enables them to purchase medical marijuana products, the patient must be suffering from the following:

• AIDS
• Alzheimer's disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Cancer
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Crohn's disease
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable
• Parkinson's disease
• Positive status for HIV
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sickle cell anemia
• Spinal cord disease or injury
• Tourette syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis

What does an MMJ Card Permit in Ohio?

Although marijuana is federally illegal, Ohio residents who suffer from qualifying health conditions and obtain medical marijuana identification cards can benefit in the following ways:

• Effective medication for reduced suffering: Convention drugs and opiate painkillers have proven ineffective when dealing with debilitating conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Marijuana has served as an effective medication across cultures for thousands of years and provides relief from many of the symptoms that accompany these ailments.

• Access to the state's marijuana dispensaries: Owning an Ohio medical marijuana card gives you regular access to medical marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries. Access to state dispensaries takes away the dangers of procuring cannabis from the black market. Most dispensaries that the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy approves carry very potent cannabis strains, letting you get rapid pain release with each dosage. Dispensaries also have other cannabis products for treatment, such as tinctures, oils, patches, and vaporizers.

• A regular supply of medical cannabis: If you have an Ohio medical marijuana identification card, you can buy up to a 45-day supply of medical cannabis at a dispensary. You may purchase and possess the following amounts per day:

• 2.83 grams (1/10 of oz)

• 295 milligrams of THC in patch, lotion, cream, or ointment

• 110 mg of THC in oil, tincture, capsule, or edible (50 mg. per edible)

• 590 mg of THC in oil for vaporization

If you are unsure how 45-day supply measures out across various cannabis products, use the state-provided Patient Fill Period Calculator.

• Protection from law enforcement: Recreational marijuana is not yet legal in Ohio, and possessing up to 200 grams of cannabis may place you in the police's sights. However, if you have a medical marijuana card in Ohio, the police are unlikely to arrest you if you have cannabis in your possession.

How Long is an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Valid?

Every medical marijuana card obtained from the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program is valid for twelve months. While their cards remain valid, Ohio medical marijuana patients can access medical cannabis dispensaries and carry their medication without fear of harassment.

Cardholders must plan to renew their medical cannabis cards up to three months before they expire - to avoid losing privileges with dispensaries and law enforcement.

Does Ohio have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

The concept of medical marijuana reciprocity applies when a state that has legalized medical marijuana allows tourists/visitors to buy medical cannabis using out-of-state MMJ cards. House Bill 523 provides for medical marijuana reciprocity. However, HB523 also specified that the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy must negotiate terms with other states before Ohio can offer their residents reciprocity. There are no such agreements in place, and as such, Ohio does not have medical marijuana reciprocity.

Is an MMIC Valid outside of Ohio?

An Ohio medical cannabis identification card may have validity, depending on what state you visit. Ohio does not presently have any medical marijuana reciprocity agreements in place. Thus, an Ohio MMJ cardholder cannot claim reciprocity in any state or legally purchase, consume, or possess medical cannabis. However, some US states have medical marijuana reciprocity programs and allow out-of-state cardholders to buy and possess medical cannabis. In those states, an Ohio MMIC might be considered valid. These states include:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Washington gov
• Washington D.C.

Is an MMIC valid in other Ohio counties?

Yes, all medical marijuana identification cards that the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program issues are valid in Ohio's 88 counties. If you have a valid Ohio-issued medical marijuana card, you may present it to any state law enforcement officer or any state-licensed dispensary.

Does Ohio accept medical marijuana cards issued by another state?

No, Ohio does not currently accept medical marijuana cards issued by another state. Although House Bill 523 allows medical marijuana reciprocity, Ohio has not negotiated reciprocity with any other states. As such, it does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity.

Does an Ohio MMIC protect me under Federal Law?

The Federal Government still considers marijuana use as an illegal act and consumption of marijuana is prohibited on federal property. Having an Ohio MMIC does not protect you from federal law in any of the following circumstances:

• Selling medical marijuana or giving it to minors or non-card bearing adults;
• Associating with a medical marijuana business that funnels profits to criminal organizations;
• Associating with a medical marijuana business that is a front for money laundering, drug trafficking, etc.;
• Buying cannabis from the black market;
• Driving while under the influence of medical cannabis;
• Growing medical cannabis without a license;
• Growing medical on public property;
• Using or possessing medical marijuana on federal property.