How to Get Your Medical Cannabis Card in Ohio

Have you been looking into medical cannabis but aren’t quite sure if you qualify or where to get started? Body and Mind wants to connect prospective patients with the right resources to help them navigate the process. We’ve put together a useful guide for any prospective patient that’s looking to take the first steps.

Qualifying Conditions

Medical Cannabis can potentially help with a wide array of different illnesses. Below is a list of all qualifying conditions under current Ohio law: 

• AIDS
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia, cancer
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s disease
• 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
• Spasticity
• Spinal cord disease or injury
• Terminal illness
• Tourette syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis

In February 2021, the State of Ohio Medical Board concluded that arthritis chronic migraines and complex region pain syndrome are conditions that are also covered as an existing qualifying condition, which are covered by pain that is either chronic or intractable.

If you do have any of these conditions, the next thing you’ll want to do is acquire medical documentation of your qualifying ailments to present at your MMJ consultation.

You don’t even need a hard copy of medical documents to get started. Just download the MyChart app if you’re within the Mercy, Summa, Cleveland Clinic, Metro networks. Visit www.uhhospitals.org if you’re in the University Hospital network; and if you’re a veteran you’ll visit MyHealthVet.

Through either of these portals, you’ll be able to obtain any necessary records to verify your eligibility for medical cannabis in Ohio.

Find a Physician and Get a Consultation 

Once you have your paperwork in order, you’ll want to start looking at scheduling an evaluation with an MMJ certified physician at any of the Ohio Marijuana Card clinic locations or you can get approved from the comfort and safety of your own home through a virtual telemed appointment.

At the appointment, the doctor will discuss your medical conditions and treatment history with you. This is when you’ll have the opportunity to present your medical documents – you can even submit them ahead of time if you’re doing a telemed consultation. With the doctor’s approval, you’ll receive your card via email from the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy so that you can visit the dispensary right away!

Once you receive your card via email, you’re ready to visit the dispensary.

Common Questions

Is Medical Cannabis Covered by Insurance?

Currently, because cannabis is still illegal under federal law, it is not possible for insurance companies to cover cannabis doctors or products in any way.

Can I Visit a Dispensary the Same Day as My Certification?

Luckily for residents, once you receive your medical card via email, typically immediately after your consultation, you can visit a dispensary.

How Often Do I Need to Renew My Card?

You’ll need to have your medical marijuana card renewed every year.