FAQ

Get your medical marijuana card the same day as your appointmentFrequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Marijuana (Cannabis) is right for me?

If you are not getting satisfactory results from conventional medical treatment, and you have a condition listed in the Ohio Qualifying condition rules, then you might benefit from this natural therapy. However, there is currently no way to scientifically measure whether cannabis therapy is right for you specifically. While there are studies in progress that may lead to clinical tests in the future, they are not available yet.

How does marijuana work as a medicine?

The answer is complicated, and we are just starting to understand the physiology of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS has evolved in animals over 500 million years ago, but it wasn’t until research of cannabis effects in humans that the endocannabinoid system discovered around 1990. We now appreciate that our bodies make compounds (endocannabinoids), that resemble compounds in marijuana, and activate the same receptors (CB1 and CB2) as the marijuana cannabinoids. We have also since learned that the body’s own cannabinoids are produced as an adaptive response to cellular stress aimed at maintaining homeostasis. Homeostatic ECS mechanisms function when physiology is disrupted during injury or inflammation. Activation of endocannabinoids (cannabinoids made within us) result in regulation of physiologic extremes whose action is necessary for life itself. It is possible that some conditions not only respond to cannabinoids in marijuana, but the condition itself might be a result of the body’s inability to make enough endocannabinoids. We believe this to be true for many migraine headache sufferers.

Why do I need a Medical Marijuana Card?

As marijuana is a controlled substance and federally illegal, there are strict rules of compliance in Ohio. The medical marijuana card allows you to legally purchase and possess up to 90 days of medical cannabis without fear of prosecution for possession in the state of Ohio.

What are the conditions that medical marijuana can be recommended in Ohio?

These are the conditions that marijuana can be recommended in Ohio as of January 1, 2019 and may be expanded in the future with approval from the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.

How do I get an Ohio medical marijuana Card?

First, you must be an Ohio resident. If you have a condition that you believe can be helped with medical cannabis, then you need to consult a doctor in Ohio that is certified to recommend medical marijuana. If your current doctor can’t make the recommendation for you, you will need to see a physician that has a certificate to recommend cannabis in the state of Ohio. In addition to our office, other certified doctors can be found at the Medical Marijuana Control Program Website. If you choose to consult with us, you will need documentation of the condition for which you are requesting the “medical marijuana card”, but a simple statement of your diagnoses from your doctor is usually all that is necessary. At the conclusion of the medical appointment we register all qualified patients with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. The Board then contacts patients via email the same day with simple instructions as to how to complete the registration online. Completion of the patient’s portion of the registration only takes a few minutes. The Board also charges $50 to every person for this service. (However, reduced fees are possible for veterans and SSDI patients with proof of your status.)

Can I legally possess cannabis anywhere in Ohio with the medical marijuana card?

You can purchase and possess up to 90 days of marijuana medicine in Ohio, but because this plant is still federally illegal, a person is prohibited from having marijuana on federal land such as a US post office, federal courthouse, national park, or federally subsidized housing. Specific details regarding legality should be directed the medical marijuana control program at their website https://medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/Rules or phone 833-464-6627.

Can a patient smoke marijuana in Ohio?

No, As of January 1, 2019, the only approved ways to use cannabis medicine is vaping, eating, skin application, or sublingually.

Is it legal for patients to grow marijuana in Ohio?

No. Only state approved cultivators can currently grow marijuana in Ohio. Every cannabis product purchased at an Ohio dispensary is the product of a government licensed cultivator, processor, and testing lab. All Ohio cannabis products can also be traced back to the original plant through legal chain of custody in order to insure the highest quality.

How much marijuana can I buy?

The Ohio State law allows purchase and possession of the amount of cannabis that would last 90 days.

How do I know what type of marijuana to purchase?

Cannabis products will be available in various forms and various chemovars. If you are familiar with the variety of cannabis that has worked for your health problem in the past, then finding the same or similar chemovar with assistance from dispensary personnel should be possible. However, initially there will be limited product available at dispensaries, and finding your best plant therapy may be challenging at first. If you have not tried medical marijuana before, then trying different strains may be necessary to find the product that works best for you. Until you know what chemovar is most beneficial for your condition, it is suggested that you select your marijuana product based on the amount and ratio of cannabis compounds it contains. If you know the amount of THC, CBD, terpenes, and other potentially beneficial molecules, then you can compare therapeutic benefit between products more easily. More detailed information is available at the time of your appointment at Medical Marijuana Physicians of Ohio

How do I use this medicine?

Different forms of plant material will be available to be used in different ways. Individual preferences vary between people and a patient will discover through using the cannabis what works best for them. Generally, vaping and sublingual tinctures have the quickest onset of effect and shortest duration of action, while edibles take longer for therapeutic effect, and have a longer duration of action. Caution needs to be exercised when first using any new medication, including cannabis. A common mistake that new users make with edibles, is dosing too soon without giving enough time for the previous dose to work. Consequently, some patients suffer unpleasant side effects due to quantity of ingested product. Rule of thumb concerning dose is “start low and go slow”. It’s usually recommended that sublingual tinctures or vaping be tried initially as the therapeutic effect will be evident sooner, and any adverse effect will be short lived.

We ask all patients to keep in touch with us on a regular basis in order to better understand what is working, or what is causing problems for you.

Will the medical marijuana card protect an employee from drug testing at work?

No. The policy of drug testing in a work environment is totally at the discretion of the employer. Knowing your employer’s drug and medication policy in advance is the best way to avoid work related problems.

Can I purchase marijuana from another state to use in Ohio?

The Ohio law does not allow cannabis products from outside Ohio to be brought to Ohio or used in Ohio.

Where do I purchase my medical marijuana?

Medical cannabis can only be purchased at an approved Ohio dispensary. As of January 1, 2019, there are 56 dispensaries approved in Ohio, but only a few are already open. A complete list of approved dispensaries that will eventually be open, as well as a link to currently open dispensaries is here.

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is a person assisting someone who can’t manage all activities of daily life independently. If a caregiver is necessary, that individual must also be registered with the Ohio state Board of pharmacy in order to assist a patient with the purchase and use of medical cannabis.

Can I drive an automobile if I have used marijuana?

It is never legal or sensible to drive an automobile while impaired. Not all marijuana products cause significant impairment, but those that do can usually be found in body fluids after the impairment has passed. If you are in an accident, or driving erratically, you will be asked to take a drug test and suffer the consequences even if you are not acutely impaired.

Can I have an active CCW (concealed weapon permit) and a medical marijuana card?

No.

Can I qualify for a medical marijuana card over the phone or a telemedicine appointment?

Yes. Restrictions on telemedicine consults has been eased during this COVID-19 outbreak. You can now get a recommendation or renewal over the phone from anywhere in Ohio.

Can a patient with an active Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio travel to another state legally?

We can not give legal advice, but it is currently against the law to travel with marijuana across state lines. More detailed information can be obtained at the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program by calling 833-464-6627.