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A Step-By-Step-Guide
If you live in Ohio and have a qualifying health condition, you may be able to join the state’s medical marijuana program. The rules can look complicated at first — talk of “day units” and renewal requirements can feel overwhelming — but the actual steps are pretty simple once you know them.
Yes, Medical Marijuana Is Legal in OH
Lawmakers approved Ohio’s medical marijuana program back in 2016. The Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) runs it today. Instead of a plastic card that arrives in the mail, Ohio uses a digital card. As soon as you’re approved, you can download it or print a copy yourself.
Who Can Qualify
You’ll need to be an Ohio resident with a driver’s license or state ID. Patients must be 18 or older, though minors can participate if a parent or guardian registers as their caregiver.
The State Medical Board keeps the full list of qualifying conditions. Some of the more common ones include:
- Chronic or severe pain
- PTSD
- Cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
Only doctors with a Certificate to Recommend (CTR) can approve patients. A regular primary care doctor who doesn’t hold that certification can’t.
See a CTR Doctor
Your first move is scheduling an appointment with a CTR-certified physician. Some patients meet in person, others use telehealth. If the doctor believes you qualify, they’ll enter your information straight into the state registry.
Register with the State
Once the doctor submits your certification, you’ll get an email from the DCC with a link to finish your registration online. That’s where you confirm your details and upload proof that you live in Ohio.
Until recently, patients also had to pay the state $50 every year. That fee was dropped in May 2024, so the only cost now is your doctor’s visit — usually somewhere between $100 and $200.
Accessing Your Card
After registration, your card shows up immediately in the state’s portal. Most people keep the file on their phone, but you can print a copy if you prefer something to carry.
What You’re Allowed to Buy
Ohio law sets limits on what counts as a 90-day supply. It’s split into two 45-day “fill periods.” Here are the basics:
- Flower (plant material): up to 9 ounces in 90 days (4.5 oz per 45 days)
- Vape oil: up to 53.1 grams of THC total (26.55 g per 45 days)
- Edibles, tinctures, capsules: up to 9.9 g of THC total (4.95 g per 45 days)
- Topicals and patches: up to 26.55 g of THC total (13.275 g per 45 days)
Ohio tracks purchases using “day units.” For example, 2.83 g of flower equals one day’s worth. The dispensary system automatically checks how many units you’ve used before allowing a sale.
Renewing Each Year
- Doctor visit: Your CTR recommendation is valid for one year.
- Registration: Your state registration also needs to be renewed annually.
- Cost: The only expense is the doctor’s fee, since the state fee no longer applies.
Visiting a Dispensary
When you go to a licensed dispensary, bring both your card (digital or printed) and a photo ID. Dispensaries can carry plant material, pre-rolls, vaporization products, tinctures, capsules, edibles, creams, and patches. Delivery is not permitted in Ohio, though caregivers may purchase for their registered patients.
A Few Extra Notes
- Out-of-state cards aren’t recognized here.
- Patients under 18 must have a registered caregiver.
- Recreational marijuana sales aren’t part of this program.
Wrapping It Up
Getting into Ohio’s medical marijuana program comes down to three steps: see a CTR doctor, register online, and download your card. After that, you’ll be able to shop at licensed dispensaries across the state.
For the most up-to-date rules and the full list of qualifying conditions, always check the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control website.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Only a CTR-certified physician can determine whether you qualify for Ohio’s medical marijuana program.
