How To Join The Ohio Medical Marijuana Program

The Buckeye State passed House Bill 523 in 2016, legalizing medical marijuana in Ohio. Today, the Medical Marijuana Control Program Patient & Caregiver Registry allows patients who have a qualifying medical condition to apply for a medical cannabis card. Learn more about the steps to get a medical card, or you can stop in at one of our Ohio dispensaries and speak with one of our well-informed budtenders.

Ohio Medical Marijuana Qualifications

Before you begin the medical cannabis application process in Ohio, make sure you meet the following requirements:

An Ohio resident; AND
At least 18 years old OR a minor with an adult caregiver; AND
Suffer from at least one serious medical condition.

How to Apply for an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card [3 Steps]

If you meet the above requirements, you’re ready to begin the application process. Follow these steps to become part of the state’s medical marijuana registry.

Step 1: Visit an Approved Ohio Physician

Visit a physician who is approved by Ohio’s Cannabis Control Program and obtain certification that you suffer from one of the serious medical conditions outlined by the state. If the physician determines that you meet the criteria, they will create your profile in the program’s Patient & Caregiver Registry, as well as provide their recommendations for specific products and refills.

Please note that the physician will need to submit both your government-issued identification and proof of residency. If you do not have an Ohio driver’s license, there are other forms of identification you can use which are outlined on the Ohio Cannabis Control website.

Step 2: Activate Your Patient Account

Once you have been approved for the program, you will receive an activation email with a link to your online account with the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program website.

After clicking the link, you will be prompted to review the following information to ensure accuracy:

Full name
Date of birth
Residential address
Valid and correct phone number

This information will be accessed and reviewed during each dispensary visit, so it’s important that it is correct.

Step 3: Submit Your Registration Fee & Download Your Card

When you’ve validated all of your information, you’ll pay the registration fee of one penny and submit your application. The state no longer issues physical medical marijuana cards, so once you pay your registration fee you will receive a link to download your card.

As soon as you have your official medical cannabis card, you can visit any state-licensed dispensary in Ohio.

Renewing Your Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio

Medical cannabis cards in Ohio must be renewed annually, and patients are required to obtain a new recommendation from a state-approved physician. Once the updated information is submitted by the physician, you can login to your Ohio Medical Marijuana Registry account and renew your card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The medical marijuana application process can be confusing. Here are the most common questions we hear at our locations.

How much does a medical cannabis card cost in Ohio?

Ohio has reduced the application fee to one penny. There is no cost to renew a medical marijuana card.

How do I find a physician certified to recommend medical cannabis in Ohio?

Click here to find a physician who has been certified by Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program to recommend medical cannabis.

What ailments are on the Ohio medical marijuana list of conditions?

The list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in Ohio can be found on the Division of Cannabis Control website.

How long will it take to receive my Ohio medical marijuana card?

The patient certification process can take 2-3 weeks to complete. Once you are approved for a medical cannabis card and pay the registration fee, you will be able to download your card immediately.

How much medical cannabis can I purchase during my dispensary visits?

A patient and their designated caregiver may purchase up to a 90-day supply of medical cannabis products. This amount is to be dictated by the certifying physician.

Can I visit multiple dispensaries in one day?

There is no limit in Ohio to the number of dispensaries you can visit per day. However, dispensaries will have a record of how much medical cannabis a patient has purchased that day, and they will not dispense more than the state-allowed amount.

How often do I need to renew my medical cannabis card in Ohio?

A patient and their designated caregiver may purchase up to a 90-day supply of medical cannabis products. This amount is dictated by the certifying physician.

Can I visit multiple dispensaries in one day?

The Ohio medical cannabis program requires patients to renew their certification every year.

Can I use an out-of-state medical marijuana card at an Ohio dispensary?

No, Ohio dispensaries are only able to accept in-state medical marijuana cards.