Medical marijuana is legally available in some parts of Ohio for people who suffer from select conditions. Qualified dispensaries can sell various products to help people seeking relief from pain, anxiety, and many other things. Although regulations and rules govern sales and use, there are some simple steps to follow in becoming a patient. 

Legal Hoops

The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program governs the use and sale of cannabis. Forms that are allowed for sale include patches, edibles, plants, oils, and tinctures. Eligibility or use requires several steps. The first one is meeting with a qualified doctor who is allowed to make recommendations to patients. The doctor and patient must be in a solid relationship, the patient must have a qualifying condition, discuss risks with the patient, and let them know of any possible complications. Some eligible conditions:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Sickle cell anemia
• PTSD
• HIV Positive
• Chronic pain
• Other conditions as stated by state medical board

A designated caregiver may also be assigned to help obtain and administer medicine. They are not allowed to consume the product but may serve multiple patients and keep an inventory of their products. Children under the age of 18 years old must be examined and a guardian must apply on behalf of the patient. 

Approval

Approval for medical marijuana treatment can happen at home through telemed. A registered Ohio marijuana doctor can consult with patients to quicken the approval process. Same-day registration is available for telemedicine appointments. If a patient has a qualifying medical condition and visits with an approved doctor in person or online, they need to be sure they register for an Ohio medical marijuana card. With the evaluation and issuance of the card, it is good for up to a one year, 90-day supply, at any of the legal dispensaries across the state. 

Using the Card

An Ohio medical marijuana card is just an ID card legally allowing patients to purchase a product from a dispensary. This comes with legal rights and benefits under state law that include:

• Access to 57 dispensaries across the state
• Access to products like tinctures, oils, creams, and vaporizers
• Legal protection against law enforcement if in possession of allowable amounts of cannabis
• Ability to renew the card every year with the possibility of state-by-state reciprocity in the future (still in the works)

To get approved for a card is an important step. The $50 fee allows patients to select a dispensary after approval from a qualified doctor and make strides towards finding relief from their conditions. Check the Ohio Marijuana website for approved doctors who can begin the process of certification. Although it may seem like a lot of steps, it is worthwhile to do it if it means finding help for pain or other conditions. People who suffer from chronic pain or debilitating conditions are finding relief with medical marijuana. It is worth looking into a card if it might help patients feel better.