An MMJ card could be granted to Ohio residents suffering from a condition. The requirements for obtaining it are very strict. For more information, please visit our guide.
House Bill 523, which Ohio lawmakers passed in June 2016, was a moment of joy for cannabis advocates. This piece allowed for the legalization of MMJ in the state. HB 523 went into effect in September 2016. It took a long time for the program to become fully operational.
It happened in September 2018, with the opening of the first four dispensaries in January 2019. Patients with qualifying conditions are now able to apply for certification and go to a cannabis dispensary. If you have any of the Ohio Medical Marijuana Program’s qualifying conditions, you can apply for an OH Medical Card. We will guide you through the process in a few easy steps.
How Can I Get A Medical Marijuana Card?
All Ohio medical cannabis licenses or ID cards must be issued by the Board of Pharmacy. The standard application is available only to Ohio residents over the age of 18 with a qualifying condition. A different process applies to minors.
Before you apply, ensure that you have one of these forms of valid ID.
- Ohio driver’s license
- Ohio ID card issued from the bureau of motor vehicles
- United States passport
These are the steps that you should follow to apply for an Ohio medical cannabis card.
Step 1 – Contact An OH Healthcare Practitioner
All Ohio physicians who recommend MMJ treatment must have a State Medical Board “Certificate-to-Recommend” (CTR). A state-licensed Ohio physician must submit all recommendations. For example, a recommendation cannot be obtained from a California doctor and submitted to Ohio as registration.
A “bona fide doctor-patient relationship” must exist with the recommending physicians. The state of Ohio is free to determine what the term “bonafide” means.
Step 2 – Schedule A Consultation
All the doctors are board-certified and have completed a thorough medical marijuana course. These physicians are also certified by the state to recommend medical marijuana.
Whatever your method, you should find a doctor to book an appointment. During the consultation, your doctor will ask about your medical history. They will evaluate your medical history and determine if MMJ would be suitable for you.
You might be referred by the doctor if one of the qualifying diseases is present. This means they must complete the patient Ohio medical registry form on your behalf. If necessary, they can also add a caregiver. You are not allowed to submit a signed recommendation.
The OBP must be notified by the doctor within the first 90 days after providing certification. The complete doctor’s recommendation for medical marijuana contains a ton of information. It is all available on the state’s compliance form. It’s up to your doctor’s office to complete the form and send it off to OBP.
Step 3 – Sign Up For An Ohio State Government Account
Once your doctor has entered you into the registry you will receive an e-mail to log in. This is where you will pay the Ohio medical marijuana application fees to the Board of Pharmacy. Also, the consultation fee must be paid to your doctor. The fee could be reduced for those who meet the criteria of veteran/indigent status.
The Board of Pharmacy will require you to show one of the types of ID that we have mentioned. If it is incomplete, the Board of Pharmacy may review it and return it. If approved, you are added to Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP) Registry.
Step 4 – Visit A Dispensary
Once you have received the card, you can visit any Ohio MMJ dispensary.
