Patients & Caregivers

Patients & Caregivers Frequently Asked Questions

• 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, all of the following are qualifying medical conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, 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, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

• Can new qualifying medical conditions be added?

  The State Medical Board of Ohio established Nov. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018 as the first submission period for petitions to add a qualifying medical condition to the Medical Marijuana Control Program. NO PETITIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEFORE NOV. 1, 2018.

  During the submission period next fall, all petitions should be filed electronically through the State’s website, medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov. A petition needs to include:

  1. The name and contact information
  2. Specific disease or condition requested to be added
  3. Information from experts who specialize in the study of the disease or condition
  4. Relevant medical or scientific evidence
  5. Consideration of whether conventional medical therapies are insufficient to treat or alleviate the disease or condition
  6. Evidence supporting the use of medical marijuana to treat or alleviate the disease or condition and other types of medical or scientific documentation
  7. Letters of support provided by physicians

  Rule 4731-32-05, Ohio Administrative Code provides details regarding how to file a petition to add a condition and the supporting documentation is available in Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-05.

  Under Ohio law, all of the following are already identified as qualifying medical conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, 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, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

• Do I need to register?

  Yes. All medical marijuana patients and their caregivers are required to register with the State Board of Pharmacy. Full details regarding registration as a patient or caregiver can be found in Chapter 3796:7-2 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

• 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. If the patient is diagnosed as terminally ill, the patient’s registration will expire after six months.

• 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.

• Where will I be able to obtain medical marijuana?

  Medical marijuana will be available from retail dispensaries licensed by the Board of Pharmacy. Once the Board of Pharmacy has completed its dispensary licensing process dispensary locations will be made available through this site.

• What forms of medical marijuana will be available?

  The following forms of medical marijuana are permitted: oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles and patches. The law prohibits the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion, but does allows 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.

  Please note: The law prohibits any form or method considered attractive to children.

• Will medical marijuana be available to minors?

  Yes. However, a certified physician may recommend treatment with medical marijuana only after obtaining the consent of a parent or another person responsible for providing consent to treatment.

• 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. Full details regarding a 90-day supply can be found in Ohio Administrative Rule 3796:8-2-04.

• Will I be able to use my medical marijuana registration card in other states? Will an out-of-state card be recognized in Ohio?

  The law requires that the Board of Pharmacy attempt to negotiate and enter into reciprocity agreements with other states. Before entering into an agreement with another state, the Board must determine that both of the following apply:

  (1) The eligibility requirements imposed by the other state in order to obtain a registry identification card are substantially comparable to Ohio’s requirements; and,

  (2) The other state recognizes a patient or caregiver registration and identification card issued in Ohio.

• 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.

• What is required of a physician to recommend medical marijuana now that House Bill 523 is effective?

  A physician is not permitted to issue a state of Ohio approved written recommendation to use medical marijuana until the physician has obtained a certificate to recommend from the State Medical Board of Ohio. Per Bill 523, the rules outlining the standards and process needed to obtain such a certificate to recommend will be developed no later than September 8, 2017. For more information, please visit the website for the State Medical Board of Ohio.

  As a way to protect patients and parents or guardians of minor patients who seek to use marijuana prior to the creation and implementation of all the administrative rules necessary to run the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, HB 523 created an affirmative defense for certain marijuana-related crimes. According to the law, a patient, parent, or guardian can only raise an affirmative defense if they have, among other requirements, received a written recommendation from his or her doctor that certifies a certain number of criteria are met. The Board recommends that physicians consult with their private legal counsel and/or employer for interpretation of the legislation.

IMPORTANT DATES

Please note: The dates listed in this section reflect those specified in the law and are for informational purposes only. Rule adoption and program implementation may occur earlier than the dates specified.