How Do I Get A Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio

Whether you’re an Ohio resident considering applying for medical marijuana cards or if you are a current cardholder looking to move to Ohio, there are steps you can take to secure your medical marijuana card online. The Ohio medical marijuana card process can be done entirely online. 

One will first need to obtain a certification from a licensed physician that they have a qualifying condition. Once certified by a medical professional, qualified patients can go through the application process online, either through the state website or telehealth providers. Read on as we go over the steps to apply, renew, and become a caregiver in Ohio. 

The United States and Legal Medical Cannabis

In the United States, medical marijuana programs have been legalized in thirty-six states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Medical marijuana programs allow patients with specified conditions to own, grow and utilize cannabis products to aid in managing their condition, even if recreational cannabis users are not authorized.

Approved requirements vary by state, and many programs will require patience to apply for a medical cannabis card. This process will typically include a consultation and evaluation by a physician. A primary care provider can often suggest it for medical cannabis patients with long-term or chronic conditions.

Medicinal Cannabis Use

Over fifty peer-reviewed medical studies have been conducted on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis and its many cannabinoids and terpenes. The consensus that emerged from these studies is that cannabis can provide medical benefits for many different conditions.

While most of these studies have focused on the help of the specific cannabinoid CBD, other major and minor cannabinoids, in conjunction with terpenes, show significant promise in treating both physical and mental ailments.

OH Patient Eligibility

An Ohio medical marijuana patient must be 18 or older to visit a medical marijuana dispensary. Only patients who can prove Ohio residency can apply (personal driver’s license, Government ID). An Ohio resident must also have medical records showing a diagnosis that qualifies for a medical marijuana recommendation at the evaluation appointment.

Qualifying Conditions in Ohio

In 2016, Governor Kasich signed a bill to legalize medical marijuana for qualifying conditions and establish a medical marijuana program with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.

These medical conditions include: 

• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Arthritis
• Cachexia
• Symptoms related to Cancer
• Chronic migraines
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Severe and chronic pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• Positive status for HIV
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sickle cell anemia
• Spasticity
• Spinal cord disease or injury
• Terminal illness
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis

Steps to Apply for a Medical Card

There are a few main steps to obtaining an Ohio medical card through Leafy DOC. First, you’ll select your State to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about the Ohio medical marijuana card process.

Skip the wait at the medical marijuana doctor and schedule your evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home. Submit an intake form with a few personal details and a summary of your medical history; then, we’ll help you book an on-demand telehealth appointment or schedule a convenient time for later.

An online recommendation with Leafy DOC starts at 129 USD for new patients and renewals in Ohio. There is a money-back guarantee if you are not approved for Ohio medical use.

Connect with the right doctor in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video.

Our licensed medical marijuana doctors will evaluate your qualifying condition, address your questions and concerns, and then provide a recommendation for medical cannabis.

Ohio patients must be registered online at the Department of Health’s portal to participate in the Medical Marijuana Program. The doctor will email you information about enrolling in the Patient and Caregiver Registry.

After the State approves your registration, they will email you a downloadable electronic copy that you can use immediately. Once you have the MMJ card, you can visit Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries and purchase medical marijuana products.

Can Leafy DOC help?

Absolutely! Not only can Leafy DOC provide a way to see a doctor via telehealth and obtain your medical card, but we also offer access to knowledgeable and helpful customer support and a personalized health coach that can guide you before and after the MMJ card process.

Our mission at Leafy DOC is to provide a seamless customer experience, educate people about cannabis, and ultimately help people get medical cards quickly and efficiently.

Additional MMJ Card Fees in OH

The fee for most patients to get their medical marijuana card in Ohio is 50 USD. This fee is paid annually for renewal. For licensed caregivers, the annual registration fee is 25 USD. The state does offer discounts for Seniors, Veterans, and those on Social Security or Disability.

The Renewal Process

Your Ohio marijuana card is valid for one year from its date. You’ll receive an updated recommendation for medical cannabis after each renewal visit with a Leafy DOC physician. You’ll then receive an email from the state allowing you to pay for your renewal.

The re-certification fee is typically around 150 USD, and the medical marijuana application fee with the state is 50 USD. The state of Ohio currently allows patients to renew their medical cannabis cards online using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

How to Apply as a Caregiver

A primary caregiver is an adult over 21 legally allowed to purchase, transport, educate, and administer medical cannabis to MMJ patients with a valid medical card.

Over thirty states have legalized medical marijuana programs, allowing caregivers to assist qualified patients. In these locations, state legislation provides legal protection for the patient and the caregiver from criminal penalties. 

Ohio medical marijuana laws state that caregivers must be at least 21 years old and able to prove their Ohio residency with a valid driver’s license or identification card.

The caregiver should be included on the patient application and pay a 50 USD annual registration fee. Designated caregivers can care for and obtain medical marijuana for two patients at a time.

Where to Purchase Medical Marijuana in Ohio

Once you have registered for the Ohio Medical Cannabis program and received your ID card, you may wonder what’s next. Here is how to receive legal cannabis in Ohio as qualified medical marijuana patients.

• Anyone entering an Ohio dispensary must present their registry bar code and a state-issued driver’s license or photo ID. 
• Once the ID has been verified, the patient is buzzed into a waiting room to complete a detailed MMJ questionnaire about their condition and previous experience with cannabis.
• A dispensary employee will then escort the patient into the dispensing room. 
• All cannabis products must be packaged in single doses and can’t be on display other than in sample size. 
• Ohio’s medical marijuana law doesn’t allow smoking plant material but enables vape cartridges.