How to Get an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card in 2023
Are you interested in getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio? You’ve come to the right place. We hope this article is a valuable guide to help you understand the process of applying for your medical marijuana recommendation letter. We keep this information up-to-date to ensure it is accurate and makes your journey as simple as possible.
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Getting an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Online with Leafwell
It is now possible to speak to a physician online and qualify for an Ohio medical marijuana card via telehealth in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ohio has expanded its telemedicine services, including medical cannabis certification, so you can meet with a state-licensed physician and receive your certification from the safety and comfort of your own home.
Medical marijuana dispensaries have been deemed essential healthcare and public health operations. Since the Covid-19 lockdown, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy has adopted a resolution to permit medical marijuana dispensaries to conduct sales to patients and caregivers outside the dispensary via curbside pickup services.
With Leafwell, getting an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card online is quick, simple, and secure. We’ve put together this valuable guide which will answer all your questions and help individuals living in Ohio State understand the importance of applying for their Ohio MMJ Card via the easy, HIPAA Compliant process offered by Leafwell’s telemedicine platform.
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Who Can Apply for a Medical Cannabis Card?
To apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio, you must be a legal resident of Ohio State.
You must be aged 18 or over to register for yourself. Minors in need of medical cannabis require a Caregiver. Caregivers must be aged 21 or over.
What Does an MMJ Card Permit in Ohio?
With your Ohio medical marijuana card in hand, you’ll be able to access any of the dispensaries and legally purchase marijuana products for medical use.
To be determined by the physician, patients and caregivers are permitted by law to possess up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana. Per state law, a patient who purchases a 30-day supply from their first dispensary trip would be limited to no more than a 60-day supply of medical marijuana until 90 days after the initial purchase.
Smoking is not an approved method of delivery, as per HB 523. Ohio’s medical marijuana law states, “Only the following forms of medical marijuana may be dispensed under this chapter: oils, tinctures, plant material, patches”. Vaping is allowed.
The form of ingestion must not seem attractive to children, so this means no sweets and bright colors can be sold.
The ordering processes have been adapted in light of Covid-19 and an increase in medical cannabis demand. Patients can now purchase MMJ in two 45-day windows rather than having to wait for 90 days. These orders can also be taken over the phone and arranged for curbside pickup to allow for safe social distancing practices. It is possible that these practices will continue after the pandemic too.
Holding an MMJ Card is the only way to ensure legal protection. Remember, cannabis remains federally illegal. This also means that insurance companies will not cover costs.
How Do I Apply for an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card?
With Leafwell, you can get your Ohio Medical Marijuana Card online in 4 simple steps:
1. Register online with Leafwell and see an Ohio Physician.
It’s quick and easy! Plus, all your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. This consultation fee is $149 for an examination on Leafwell’s telemedicine platform, subject to change.
2. Attend your online appointment and get a medical cannabis certificate online from a state-licensed physician.
The process is quick, simple and HIPAA-compliant. Most appointments take 15 minutes or less. Our recommending physician, or a physician delegate, will submit the caregiver and patient’s name to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver registry following their recommendation for medical marijuana.
3. Apply online and upload the certificate to the state website.
The application fee, payable to the state, is $50. The application fee and the physician’s fee (mentioned above) are separate.
4. Receive Your Medical Marijuana Card
If approved, you will be emailed the state Registry Card (Medical Marijuana Card) and have to activate it via their email, containing a link to the registry. You will then need to create your own password for the health portal. You will receive your Ohio MMJ card via email as soon as you pay the state card fee. Please note that the state will be emailing you, not Leafwell.
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What Does my Online Medical Marijuana Evaluation with Leafwell Include?
Your online medical marijuana evaluation with Leafwell is quick and easy. To get started, we’ll need you to provide us with some preliminary details and medical records (if you have them). These are all passed securely to one of our registered practitioners, who can familiarize themselves with your application before your consultation.
The consultation itself is simple and secure, taking place on our bespoke telemedicine platform. You will meet with an Ohio registered practitioner who has experience issuing certificates for medical marijuana to patients with various medical issues. The registered practitioner will speak with you about why you are applying and ask questions about your medical conditions and history.
At the end of the consultation, the registered practitioner can make an informed decision about whether he or she recommends using medical cannabis based on the medical information they have obtained. If an application is successful, the registered practitioner will complete the certification and pass this document to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver Registry.
If an application is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for the consultation.
Once obtained, the certification will last for one year.
How Much Does an Ohio Medical Cannabis Consultation and MMJ Card Cost?
The consultation with one of the Ohio Registered Practitioners via Leafwell’s HIPAA-compliant online consultation service is a one-off fee of $149. However, you will not be charged if you do not qualify for an MMJ Card and our practitioner elects not to sign your certificate.
Upon submitting your application to the Ohio government, you will pay an application fee of $50. This is separate from the Leafwell fee.
The registration fee for caregivers is $25. Veterans receive a 50% discount on this registration fee.
Leafwell can also help you to renew an existing MMJ card. Our renewal fee is $149. We recommend you renew your medical card at least 30 days before it expires so you can continue obtaining marijuana products.
What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in Ohio?
A registered practitioner must certify a permanent or temporary diagnosis of one or more of the conditions listed under Ohio law for your application to be successful.
Current conditions included are:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Cancer
- Chronic, Intractable Pain
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscle Spasticity
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spinal Cord Disease, or Injury
- Terminal Illness
- Tourette’s Syndrome
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Ulcerative Colitis
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By taking the correct dose of medical marijuana, many patients who experience symptoms from these conditions find their lives transformed. Medical marijuana can give individuals back their energy and capacity to enjoy life, get out in the fresh air and lead a comfortable, healthy, and happy existence. We believe in the power of medical marijuana to change lives for the better and give individuals the power to control their own medical conditions. Our licensed physicians believe this, too which is why they work with Leafwell and help as many patients as possible to secure a medical marijuana card if they, as experts, believe cannabis may help alleviate symptoms and medical issues.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Cannabis Card in Ohio?
To apply for your MMJ Card in Ohio, you will need the signed certificate uploaded after a successful appointment with Leafwell, which provides proof of your condition and identification documents. You should gather together the following:
- ID. As of August 2022, out-of-state ID cards can be used as long as you have two proofs of Ohio residency.
- Proof of address
- Medical Records – only required by some physicians
Below are all of the acceptable forms these documents may take.
Acceptable ID
- An unexpired Ohio driver’s license
- Passport
- An unexpired Ohio identification card issued by the Ohio bureau of motor vehicles
Acceptable Proof of Residency
- Bank statement
- Utility bill
- Correspondence with a state department
Medical Records (optional)
- Progress notes
- Health summary
- List of diagnoses
- Medication list (or pictures of prescription bottles)
Do I Need to Present my Medical Records to Leafwell?
The state does not require healthcare providers to see patients’ medical records before approving them for medical cannabis. However, some of the healthcare providers who use our platform do. If you do not have medical records, we recommend you contact the support team at Leafwell and ask them which doctor they recommend you book an appointment with to ensure you don’t need medical records as part of your application.
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How Does a Caregiver Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card? Can a Minor Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio?
Some patients may be eligible for an MMJ Card but unable to apply for one themselves. For example, should the patient be a minor under the age of 18, or if the patient needs assistance accessing medical cannabis, a caregiver can be assigned to complete the process on their behalf.
Individuals 21 and older can serve as caregivers for no more than two medical marijuana patients. Each patient can have up to two caregivers.
Can a Qualifying Patient Grow Cannabis in Ohio?
No. Unfortunately, even qualifying patients cannot grow cannabis in Ohio. All products must be bought from licensed dispensaries. Luckily, there are many of these throughout the state so access is not limited, regardless of where you are in the state. As of June 2020, there are 57 dispensaries in the state.
Under Covid-19, dispensaries can now take orders over the phone and provide curbside pickup services.
There are 19 Level 1 provisional cultivator license holders and 14 Level 2 provisional cultivator license holders in Ohio as of June 2020.
Are my Details Kept Confidential When I Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card?
Yes. Leafwell is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients. Our online service is HIPAA compliant, and our systems are designed to keep all of your confidential details safe.
Does Ohio Have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?
At the moment, Ohio does not recognize another state’s medical marijuana card. However, Ohio is working to develop a reciprocity program with states that recognize an Ohio medical marijuana identification card.
Some states accept out-of-state Medical Marijuana Cards. This is called reciprocity. The following states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards:
- Alaska ^
- Arkansas *
- California ^
- Colorado ^
- Hawaii *
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oklahoma *
- Oregon ^
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Washington ^
- Washington D.C.
States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay.
States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.
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However, except for recreational states, it is not necessarily always possible to visit and purchase from a dispensary with an out-of-state card. Some may allow it, but we advise phoning ahead of time before visiting.
Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Toledo, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland, Ohio
While Ohio became the 6th state to decriminalize possession of small quantities of cannabis, some municipalities have gone further and relaxed their laws even more in a step towards perhaps embracing recreational cannabis in the future. Here are some states who have made progress in this direction:
- Toledo – voted to depenalize misdemeanor cannabis offenses in 2015 – no fines or jail time for possession or cultivation under 200 grams and possession of paraphernalia
- Dayton – eliminated all penalties for possession of up to 100 grams in 2018
- Cincinnati – eliminated all penalties for possession of up to 100 grams of cannabis except in cases of public use in 2019
- Columbus – reduced the penalty to a $10 fine for possession of up to 100 grams and a £25 fine for between 100 and 200 grams in 2019
- Cleveland – eliminated penalties for possession of up to 200 grams of cannabis in 2020
Regardless of where you are in Ohio, you can get a medical marijuana card online with Leafwell, MD. Here are our clinics:
Leafwell MD Columbus, Ohio
2025 Riverside Drive, Suite 210 Columbus, OH 43221
332-333-5031
Leafwell MD Columbus, OH
10500 Antenucci Blvd #200, Garfield Heights, OH 44125
332-333-5031
Leafwell MD Columbus
1800 E State St, Fremont, OH 43420
332-333-5031
Leafwell MD Columbus
183 Raydo Circle, Springfield, OH 45506
332-333-5031
Leafwell MD Cincinnati, Ohio
8420 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45216
332-333-5031
Wherever you are in Ohio, if you hold an MMJ Card, you can easily find a dispensary where you can purchase the marijuana products you require.
Get Your Ohio Medical Card
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History of Medical Marijuana Laws in Ohio
Here’s a brief overview of cannabis in Ohio:
1975 – possessions of up to 100 grams is decriminalized. This carries a maximum fine of $150
2015 – a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis use was defeated
2016 – Governor John Kasich signs House Bill 523 (HB 523), allowing for the use of marijuana for medical reasons. HB 523 allows for a patient to carry a 90-day supply of cannabis. Smoking cannabis is not approved; only oils, patches, herbal materials, and tinctures are approved methods.
2019 – legal sales of medical cannabis begin in January
Ohio Medical Marijuana Laws
No possession limits have been determined as of yet for medical marijuana patients.
Some legal protections for qualifying patients who acquire cannabis from out-of-state sources before operating state-licensed dispensaries.
For those without a medical marijuana card and recommendation, cannabis is decriminalized in Ohio to a certain extent. Possession of less than 100 g (5 g solid hashish or 1 g liquid concentrate) doesn’t bring any charges, is a misdemeanor, and has a maximum fine of $150.
Possession of more than 100 g is a misdemeanor but may bring with it up to 30 days jail time and/or a $250 fine. Possessing any more than 200 g is a felony.
Gifting someone cannabis 20 g or less is a misdemeanor with a $150 fine. A second offense may bring 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Selling any amount of cannabis is a felony. Previous convictions of drug offenses bring harsher punishments, as does selling or possessing to a minor or anywhere near school grounds.
Cultivation is seen as possession, although may be used as evidence of intent to distribute, depending on how much yield and the number of plants the offender has.
Possession of paraphernalia is a misdemeanor and can bring with it a $150 fine.
The sale of paraphernalia brings a maximum fine of up to $750.
Any drug conviction, including possession/sale of paraphernalia, may result in a driving license suspension of between 6 months and 5 years.
Useful Links
To find out more about getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio, get in touch with the expert Leafwell team today or use any of these on the Ohio Medical Marijuana Card login page here:
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