How to Get a Marijuana Card in Ohio

If you're from Ohio or relocated there recently, you're likely already familiar with the state's marijuana laws. Although recreational marijuana is not yet legal in The Buckeye State, medical marijuana is currently allowed and becoming more widespread in its use. Like many other states, Ohio requires patients to see a certified doctor and obtain a medical marijuana card before purchasing cannabis from a licensed dispensary in the state. If you're curious about the process involved in getting a marijuana card in Ohio, this article is for you. Keep reading to learn more about medical marijuana cards—and other details—in the great state of Ohio.

Medical Marijuana for Pain Management

No one wants to deal with chronic pain. Fortunately, CBD and medical cannabis are currently showing strongs signs of being effective in treating/reducing pain for such conditions. In Ohio, the meidcal definition of chronic pain is "pain that's either chronic or severe, lasting for more than twelve weeks." That runs a wide range of distinct conditions from headaches to arthritis, to inflammation and beyond. The state's official resources (and its certified marijuana doctors) will have a complete list of illnesses and conditions for which medical marijuana might be a possible treatment. People suffering from severe and chronic pain are eligible for treatment in the state. 

How Ohio Defines Medical Marijuana 

Ohio is somewhat strict in regard to what conditions can be treated with medical marijuana and cannabis products. The state of Ohio has specific legal definitions of what comprises medical marijuana. In Ohio, the legal definition of medical marijuana is "marijuana that is cultivated, processed, dispensed, tested, possessed, or used for a medical purpose." It must come from a licensed cultivator, who holds a current license. Furthermore, patients are limited to only being able to possess certain amounts at any given time. This is restricted to a 90-day supply (edibles, smoke products, tinctures) provided to a registered patient (or caregiver). The way the state determines this is as a daily allotment of 2.83 grams or eight ounces of marijuana flower over that timeframe. Ohio's stringent laws and requirements also mean patients must have a medical card and they can only obtain marijuana from licensed dispensaries within the state.

Physician Consultation

Per theOhio Board of Pharmacy, anyone wishing to use medical marijuana, must first consult with a board-certified physician. During the consultation, the doctor will need to review your medical history, assess your condition and make a recommendation for the appropriate use of marijuana. If certified by the doctor, patients can visit an Ohio dispensary to obtain the appropriate and authorized amount of medical marijuana. Consulting with an appropriate physician is just the first step in a journey that will eventually lead to obtaining a medical marijuana card in the state of Ohio.

Getting a Card

Getting a medical marijuana card in Ohio seems complicated, but it’s quite simple and straightforward. To begin with, their are residency requirements. Anyone seeking a card must have proof of Ohio residency, have one of the state’s qualifying conditions, and have a certification from a qualified doctor to obtain medical marijuana. Beyond that, it’s a $50 fee each year to maintain the card. The card gives patients the ability to purchase and use cannabis for medical purposes in Ohio. Reciprocity laws—where other states will allow you to use a card from a different state to access medical marijuana—are different everywhere. Currently, the state doesn’t allow medical marijuana cardholders from other states to use them in Ohio. 

Fees and Taxes

Something you might not think about regularly in the context of medical marijuana is the taxes and fees involved in using it in certain states. In addition to the medical card fee, marijuana is taxed at a certain percentage in each state. For Ohio, that percentage is 5.75% on every transaction involving Medical marijuana. Taxes are just part of everyday life and they just happen to be a little bit loftier when it comes to medical marijuana in certain states. The taxes paid on medical marijuana contribute to that state's overall tax revenues. With a population growth expected in the coming years and the possibility of recreational marijuana happening soon in Ohio, that number could rise exponentially.