Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio: Why It Still Matters After Legalization
Ohio Medical Marijuana Card: Why It Still Matters After Legalization
Ohio legalized recreational cannabis in late 2023, with sales starting in August 2024. So why bother with a medical card?
Short answer: money, access, and limits.
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Skip the 10% Tax
Recreational cannabis in Ohio comes with a 10% adult-use tax that medical patients don't pay.
Do the math:
• Spending $200/month? That's $240 recreational vs $200 medical.
• Over a year, you're saving $240+ just on taxes.
• The medical card pays for itself fast.
Regular state and local sales tax may still apply in some cases, but you're avoiding that extra 10% hit every single purchase.
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Higher Purchase Limits
Medical patients can purchase more cannabis per visit than recreational customers.
If you use cannabis regularly for a medical condition, recreational limits might not cut it. A medical card gives you the access you actually need.
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Age Requirement: 18 vs 21
Recreational cannabis is only available to adults 21 and older.
Medical marijuana? You can qualify at 18 (or younger with a caregiver).
If you're between 18-20 and need cannabis for a qualifying condition, a medical card is your only legal option.
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Priority Access at Dispensaries
Not all Ohio dispensaries have dual-use licenses. Some only serve medical patients.
Even at dual-use dispensaries, medical cardholders often get priority access — shorter lines, dedicated registers, and first dibs when supply is tight.
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No State Fee Anymore
Here's the best part: Ohio eliminated the $50 state registration fee in May 2024.
You only pay for your doctor certification. That's it. No annual state fee.
At Green Bridge Society, certification is $125 for new patients and $50 for renewals. Given the tax savings alone, you'll make that back within a few months.
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Who Should Get an Ohio Medical Card?
A medical card makes sense if you:
• Use cannabis regularly and want to save 10% every purchase
• Want higher purchase limits
• Are between 18-20 years old
• Prefer the medical dispensary experience
• Have a qualifying condition and want legal protection
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Ohio Qualifying Conditions
You may qualify if you have:
AIDS • Alzheimer's Disease • ALS • Cancer • Chronic Pain • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy • Crohn's Disease • Epilepsy • Fibromyalgia • Glaucoma • Hepatitis C • HIV • Huntington's Disease • Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Multiple Sclerosis • Parkinson's Disease • PTSD • Sickle Cell Anemia • Spasticity • Spinal Cord Injury • Terminal Illness • Tourette Syndrome • Traumatic Brain Injury • Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic pain is the most common qualifier. If you have ongoing pain — arthritis, back problems, migraines, neuropathy — you likely qualify.
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How to Get Your Ohio Medical Card
1. Schedule a telemedicine appointment with a certified Ohio physician
2. Doctor reviews your condition and submits certification
3. Register in the Ohio Medical Marijuana Registry and activate your card
4. Visit any Ohio dispensary — tax-free
Green Bridge Society handles the doctor certification and helps you through the registry. Most patients are done in a day or two.
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Questions?
Text or call us at 814-360-5353 or visit our Help Page.
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Green Bridge Society has certified over 100,000 patients since 2018. We make the process easy.
