FAQ's

HOW DO I REGISTER AS A PATIENT IN THE OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONTROL PROGRAM AND RECEIVE MY PATIENT CARD?

Visit a certified physician who can confirm that you have a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. The physician will create your profile in the Patient & Caregiver Registry.

Confirm and complete your registration for the program through the Patient & Caregiver Registry (see medical marijuana patient registration guide).

HOW DO I REGISTER AS A CAREGIVER IN THE OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONTROL PROGRAM AND RECEIVE MY CAREGIVER CARD?

A patient must notify a certified physician that they would like you to serve as their caregiver. The physician will then create your profile in the Patient & Caregiver Registry. If the patient is a minor or has a court-appointed legal guardian, they must have a caregiver.

Confirm and complete your registration for the program through the Patient & Caregiver Registry (see “Completing Caregiver Registration” video on the patient and caregiver page). NOTE: Caregiver registration will be activated after approval by the Board of Pharmacy.

HOW DO I FIND A PHYSICIAN WHO IS CERTIFIED TO RECOMMEND MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

The Medical Board maintains a list of all Ohio licensed physicians who are certified to recommend medical marijuana. The list can be found by clicking here.

Due to State Regulations, our staff are prohibited from recommending a specific physician.

HOW DO I APPLY AS A PATIENT WITH VETERAN OR INDIGENT STATUS, OR A CAREGIVER ASSOCIATED WITH A PATIENT WITH VETERAN OR INDIGENT STATUS?

Follow the instructions found in the Quick Reference Guide - Registering With Indigent Or Veteran Status. 

PLEASE NOTE: If a patient does not qualify for veteran or indigent status, their caregiver will not receive a registration fee reduction, even if the caregiver qualifies for special status.

IF I AM APPLYING AS A PATIENT WITH VETERAN OR INDIGENT STATUS, HOW WILL MY FEE REDUCTION BE APPLIED?

Individuals seeking to qualify for a reduced registration fee due to a special status should not submit payment for their registration fee until their status, or the status of the patient they are associated with, is approved by the Board of Pharmacy.

The registration fee will be reduced once the Board receives necessary documentation and approves the special status. The Board will not issue any refunds for registration fees paid before special status approval.

IS THERE HELP AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO ARE MISUSING OR ABUSING MEDICATION OR OTHER DRUGS?

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call 877-275-6364 for information and a referral or visit https://findtreatment.gov.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT MAY BE TREATED WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

Certified physicians may recommend medical marijuana only for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition. Under Ohio law, qualifying medical conditions include all of the following: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, 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, Spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

In February 2021, the State Medical Board of Ohio determined the following conditions are considered covered by an existing qualifying condition: arthritis chronic migraines and complex region pain syndrome. These conditions were determined to be covered by pain that is either chronic or intractable

HOW CAN NEW QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS BE ADDED?

The State Medical Board of Ohio established an annual process where members of the public may petition the Board to add new qualifying medical conditions. The next petition period is scheduled to open on November 1, 2020 and close on December 31, 2020. More information will be posted on the MMCP website and sent out to all program subscribers. To subscribe to program updates, visit the MMCP homepage. For more information about the 2019 petition process, click here.

As a reminder, the following are the current qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana use in Ohio: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, 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, Spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

HOW LONG WILL REGISTRATION BE VALID?

A patient or caregiver registration will be valid from the date of issuance and expire one year later, on the last day of the month it was issued.

WILL MY REGISTRATION STATUS BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE?

No. The law prohibits the Board of Pharmacy, as well as licensed dispensaries, from making personal identifying information public. Physicians and those employed by dispensaries will be able to verify a patient or caregiver’s registration.

WHAT FORMS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL BE AVAILABLE?

The following forms of medical marijuana are authorized: oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, lotions, creams, and patches. The law prohibits the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion but does allow for vaporization (vaping). The law prohibits any form that is attractive to children.

CAN NEW FORMS BE APPROVED?

Yes. An individual may petition the Board of Pharmacy to approve an additional form or method of using medical marijuana. The petition form can be found by visiting: www.medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/AddFormMethod.

REMINDER: The law prohibits any form or method considered attractive to children and the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion.

WILL I BE PERMITTED TO GROW MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION?

No. The law prohibits the cultivation of medical marijuana for personal, family, or household use.

HOW MUCH MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL A REGISTERED PATIENT OR CAREGIVER BE ABLE TO POSSESS AT ONE TIME?

The amount of medical marijuana possessed by a registered patient or caregiver must not exceed a 90-day supply. Visit the patient and caregiver page for more information on how a 90-day supply is calculated.

DOES OHIO RECOGNIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS ISSUED BY OTHER STATES?

Currently, Ohio does not recognize medical marijuana registry cards issued in other states. The law requires that the Board of Pharmacy attempt in good faith to negotiate and enter into reciprocity agreements with other states. If Ohio does enter into a reciprocity agreement with another state, more information will be posted to the OMMCP website.