How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio [2024 Guide]
Ohio legalized medical cannabis in 2016 with House Bill 523. The measure joined the state’s previous legislative actions, namely the municipal decriminalization of marijuana in several parts of Ohio.
After passing the bill in 2016, the first state-licensed dispensary came online in 2019. Since then, additional stores have continued to open and serve the state’s growing number of patients.
In 2021, they added several conditions to the list of qualifying conditions, including arthritis, chronic migraines and complex regional pain syndrome, Huntington's disease, terminal illness, and spasticity. In doing so, many Ohio citizens now find themselves eligible to participate in the program.
Voters legalized recreational cannabis via the November 2023 election, which will be fully enacted on December 7, 2023. The personal possession and cultivation limits haven't been set by the legislature yet but will be shortly. Check back for more details.
How Do I Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in Ohio?
The first part of applying for a medical marijuana card in Ohio requires seeing a certified physician “to establish and maintain a physician-patient relationship."
If the patient is diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition and the physician determines that medical cannabis could help, the physician will create a patient profile in the state’s registry.
Once approved, patients will receive an email to register with the state’s registry. They have 90 days from receiving the email to complete the registration process. A $0.01 patient payment is due upon registration, with caregivers paying $0.01.
Indigent and Veteran applicants may apply to have their fees waived and should not register until their status has been confirmed. Otherwise, they risk paying the registration costs.
Once registered, patients can visit a licensed dispensary to buy their medicine. They will need an active medical marijuana card (printed or digital copy), a physician’s recommendation, and a government ID to make their purchase.
How Do I Renew an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card?
Ohio requires that patients renew their medical cannabis card with a physician evaluation annually. Patients will not be notified when they’re due for renewal and must register within 30 days of their expiration date. To renew, they must log in to the patient registry, follow the renewal application steps, and pay the required fees.
Who Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in Ohio?
Qualifying for Ohio’s medical cannabis program requires meeting five pieces of criteria: They are as follows:
- Develop and maintain a “bona fide” relationship between the patient and a physician who will submit the recommendation as part of the registration submission process.
- The physician must provide a diagnosis or confirm a qualifying condition
- The patient must consent to medical marijuana treatment. A minor is required to have a parent or legal guardian provide consent.
- Pay the required fees to the state board
- Be an Ohio resident, unless otherwise approved under a reciprocal agreement under division (A) of section 3796.16 of the Revised Code, which hasn't happened yet.
How to Find an Ohio Medical Marijuana Doctor for an MMJ Evaluation
Ohio requires patients to visit a certified registered physician to obtain their evaluation for a medical marijuana card. The state provides a digital database of active certified doctors for patients to browse through.
NuggMD works with state-licensed medical marijuana doctors in Ohio who evaluate patient conditions honestly to help decide if cannabis is an appropriate treatment.
It's helpful to have your medical files on hand for the medical evaluation. Consider gathering the following documents:
- Patient charts
- Current prescriptions
- Physical therapy records
- Medical test results
- Hospital records
To schedule an online evaluation with a physician, visit NuggMD Ohio.
Get Your Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Online: The NuggMD Process
NuggMD makes the first step of connecting with a registered physician easy. Just follow these steps.
- Sign up. Make a new account at NuggMD.com/Ohio and enter all the required information, including any essential medical information.
- Connect with a registered doctor. No appointment is required. After your physician reviews your information, they will connect via video chat to answer your questions and determine eligibility.
- Get approved. If you're approved, you'll receive an email confirmation from the state with a link to complete the registration process in the patient portal.
What to Expect When Talking to an Ohio Medical Marijuana Doctor on NuggMD
The NuggMD doctor will ask about current medications and medical history to approve medical marijuana use, so be prepared to upload any essential medical records.
Writing down any questions while waiting in the virtual waiting room is a good idea. NuggMD's doctors are more than happy to take the time to educate about the potential benefits and pitfalls of cannabis treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Cannabis in Ohio
What Types of Marijuana Consumption Methods are Available in Ohio?
The following forms of medical cannabis are authorized in Ohio: oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, lotions, creams, and patches. The law currently prohibits the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion but does allow for vaporization (vaping), and you can purchase both flower or oil for vaping from most dispensaries. The law prohibits any form that is attractive to children.
What Does Marijuana Feel Like?
When using cannabis, people may feel uplifted or relaxed. Different strains have different effects, but for the most part, the most common effects are:
- Decrease in energy, a.k.a. couch lock
- Giggles
- Changed perception of time
- Loss of concentration
- Relaxation
Sometimes, patients experience a "bad trip," depending on the product type or dosage. The effects of marijuana may not always be as desired or expected. Adverse effects include paranoia, nausea, vomiting, and even psychosis. It's crucial to start low and go slow. Having a caregiver or a trusted companion present during the experience is always a cautious idea.
Recommend dosages for edibles and tinctures start between 2.5- 5mg, depending on the patient's comfort level and experience. Some experienced users can comfortably consume ten or more milligrams, and others feel little effects from larger dosages.
The onset of effects can vary as well. It can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the first effects of an edible, and sometimes even longer.
If you're not experiencing the relief you need with your current dosage, work with your doctor to adjust your dosage as necessary.
What if My Dose is Too High?
If a dose is too high, it's important to remember that this happens to patients when they first start using cannabis because everyone metabolizes it differently. Don't panic. Time is your best friend, and the experience will end. Most of the time, rest, water, and a good meal help ease the process; however, if you feel like you're having a medical emergency, contact a medical professional.
Connect your medical marijuana doctor for guidance on adjusting your dosage as soon as possible.
Have More Questions About How to Get Your Ohio Medical Card?
If you have additional questions, visit our complete Ohio medical cannabis FAQs or check out one of our other Ohio-specific patient resources.
- Ohio Cannabis Laws & Regulations
- Qualifying Conditions in Ohio
- Benefits of Getting a Med Card in Ohio
- How to Become a Caregiver in Ohio
If you need any extra help, you can always reach out to the customer service team at NuggMD! Our support staff loves to help customers navigate the sometimes confusing medical marijuana system. They answer hundreds of questions a day, from what type of documents are needed to where to find state and local information.
They’ve helped more than 1,000,000 patients meet their new doctors and find relief through cannabis since 2016. They only work with licensed doctors who have all certifications required by their respective state.
