The Ohio Medical Marijuana Card is a patient registry identification that grants qualified individuals legal access to the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries. The total expense to obtain this registration is not a single flat rate, but rather a combination of two components: the variable fee charged by the certifying physician for their recommendation and the fee required for state registration. This structure means the final amount a patient pays depends largely on the medical provider they select for their initial evaluation.
Initial Physician Recommendation Cost
The largest initial expense for a patient seeking an Ohio medical card is the fee charged by the certifying physician. This cost is set independently by each practitioner or clinic, resulting in a broad price range across the state. Typically, a new patient consultation can cost between $100 and $300, with many providers setting their fee in the $150 to $250 range.
This physician fee covers the required medical consultation, which includes a review of the patient’s medical records to confirm a qualifying condition. The physician must be certified by the State Medical Board of Ohio to recommend medical cannabis. Upon determining eligibility, the doctor will submit a formal certification to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient Registry, which is the necessary first step before the state will allow registration.
State Registration Fee
The state registration fee is the non-refundable cost paid directly to the state to finalize and activate the medical card. This fee, which is valid for one year, was historically $50 for a patient registration and \(25 for veterans or individuals with indigent status. However, the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control changed this structure in March 2024.
The annual state registration fee for both patients and caregivers is now only one cent (\)0.01). This nominal fee applies to all applicants, including those who previously qualified for veteran or indigent discounts. The payment is processed online through the Ohio Patient Registry after the certified physician submits the patient’s recommendation.
Annual Renewal Costs
The Ohio medical marijuana registration is valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually to maintain legal patient status. This renewal process requires two recurring costs. The first is a renewal consultation with a State Medical Board-certified physician.
While some clinics may offer a slightly reduced rate for established patients renewing their certification, the cost generally remains within the initial variable price range of $100 to $300. The physician must conduct a new evaluation and submit an updated recommendation to the state registry each year. This step ensures that the patient’s qualifying condition and need for medical cannabis are re-verified.
Following the physician’s re-certification, the patient must pay the state registration fee once more. Similar to the initial registration, the renewal fee is the $0.01 charge. Timely completion of both the physician consultation and the state payment is necessary to avoid a lapse in registration, which could temporarily interrupt a patient’s ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries.