Yes! Medical Marijuana is Legal in Ohio!
Medical marijuana has been legal in Ohio since 2016 under the state’s Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP), which is now overseen by the Division of Cannabis Control. The program gives registered patients and caregivers safe, legal access to marijuana products through licensed dispensaries.
Recreational marijuana also became legal in 2023, allowing adults 21 and older to possess and grow small amounts for personal use. However, having a medical marijuana card still comes with important advantages: tax savings and patient-only discounts.
To shop at Ohio’s licensed medical dispensaries and get medical patient discounts, you need a medical marijuana card. Ohio Marijuana Card is here to help you get your medical card and start getting the natural relief you deserve! Give us a call at (866) 457-5559 or schedule a medical marijuana evaluation appointment online today!
Why a Medical Marijuana Card Still Matters in Ohio
Even with recreational marijuana now legal for adults 21 and older in Ohio, a medical marijuana card still offers important advantages. While recreational users can purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries, medical patients enjoy financial savings.
Medical vs. Recreational Use
While recreational marijuana allows adults to:
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Possess up to 2.5 ounces
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Grow up to six plants per adult (12 per household)
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Purchase standard products from dispensaries
Medical marijuana patients benefit with:
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Cost savings: Exempt from the 10% recreational tax and eligible for dispensary discounts, saving hundreds per year
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Guided medical use: Evaluations by licensed medical professionals help ensure safe and effective dosing
Even with recreational legalization, the medical program often provides better financial and medical advantages for qualifying patients.
Ohio’s Marijuana Laws: Medical vs. Recreational
Recreational Marijuana in Ohio
In November 2023, Ohio legalized recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older. Adults can now:
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Possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana
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Cultivate up to six plants per adult in their private residence, with a maximum of 12 plants per household
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Purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries and retail outlets
However, recreational users are subject to a 10% state excise tax, plus local sales taxes, which makes purchasing marijuana more expensive.
Medical Marijuana in Ohio
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP), established in 2016, allows patients with qualifying conditions to legally purchase marijuana with a recommendation from a licensed medical marijuana doctor. Medical marijuana patients in Ohio enjoy:
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Lower costs: Medical purchases are exempt from the 10% recreational excise tax
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Exclusive discounts and promotions: Many dispensaries offer specials only to cardholders
Who Qualifies for an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card?
Adults who are 18 years or older and have a qualifying medical condition are eligible to apply for a medical marijuana card in Ohio. The State Medical Board maintains and updates the list of qualifying conditions, which includes chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, cancer, and many other serious or debilitating illnesses. Patients must receive a medical marijuana recommendation from a physician who is certified by the state to issue them - that's where we come in!
Minors under 18 years old may also qualify for medical marijuana if they have a recognized condition, but they cannot register independently. A parent or legal guardian must apply as their designated caregiver to purchase and administer medical marijuana on their behalf. Caregivers must be at least 21 years old, live in Ohio, and complete the state’s registration process to be approved. Each patient may have up to two registered caregivers, and each caregiver may assist more than one patient if approved by the program.
Patients must also be Ohio residents and provide proof of residency during the registration process. Out-of-state residents are not eligible to apply for an Ohio medical marijuana card, even if they have a qualifying condition.
Rules for Ohio's Medical Marijuana Program:
Process of Getting a Card:
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Check if you qualify: Review the list of qualifying conditions.
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Book your appointment: Schedule a visit with one of our certified doctors.
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Meet your doctor: They’ll confirm your condition and issue a recommendation.
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We handle the setup: Your doctor creates your Patient & Caregiver Registry profile for you.
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Activate your account: Just click the link in your email, review your info, and accept the legal statement.
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Shop with confidence: Once approved, you can purchase medical marijuana from licensed Ohio dispensaries.
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Stay covered stress-free: Follow-ups are free, and renewals are only required once a year.
Reciprocity:
Ohio does not currently have reciprocity with other states. That means an out-of-state medical marijuana card cannot be used to buy marijuana at Ohio dispensaries. However, Ohio patients may be able to use their card in certain other states that recognize out-of-state programs.
Purchase & Possession Limits for Medical Marijuana Patients
Registered patients may purchase up to a 90-day supply, which is higher than recreational limits. The state breaks this down into product-specific amounts:
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Vaporization oils: Up to 53.1 grams of THC
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Oral products (tinctures, edibles, oils): Up to 9.9 grams of THC
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Topicals (patches, lotions, creams): Up to 26.55 grams of THC
Key possession details for flower:
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Daily limit: One day's supply is 2.83 grams (one-tenth of an ounce) of plant material. The number of pre-rolls this represents depends on the weight of each pre-roll. For instance, a 1-gram pre-roll would count as roughly 0.35 of a day's supply.
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90-day possession limit: A total of 90 days' worth of product can be possessed.
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Tier I flower (23% THC or less): The 90-day limit is 8 ounces (226.8 grams).
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Tier II flower (over 23% THC): The 90-day limit is 5.3 ounces (150.3 grams).
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Patients diagnosed with a terminal illness are eligible for higher possession limits. All medical marijuana must be purchased from state-licensed dispensaries.
How Can I Get My Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Today?
At Ohio Marijuana Card, we believe that every patient who qualifies for medical marijuana in Ohio should receive their recommendation quickly and with as little hassle as possible. That’s why we’ve created a proven system for getting patients the medical marijuana recommendation they deserve.
Call us at 866-457-5559 and schedule an appointment with one of our licensed medical marijuana doctors! Our friendly support staff is available to answer any questions you may have.