This newsletter is distributed to physicians with an active Certificate to Recommend Medical Marijuana (CTR) and provides important updates for the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP). 

As of May 8, the total number of active certified physicians is 607.

Standard of Care

All physicians with an active CTR must follow the full list of requirements in Rule 4731-32-03 Standard of Care in the Ohio Administrative Code. 

Patient Fee Elimination Coming Soon

Here’s what you need to know:

• Beginning May 15, patients and caregivers will no longer need to submit payment in the Medical Marijuana Patient & Caregiver Registry (Registry) when activating a new registration or renewing an existing registration.
• To activate or renew a registration, the patient or caregiver must access the Registry, confirm the information provided is correct, and select “Activate Card” or “Renew Card.” 
• More information about activating or renewing a patient or caregiver registration, including registering with veteran or indigent status, can be found at www.com.ohio.gov/mmcppatients.

MMCP patients are encouraged to remain registered with the MMCP. Doing so:

• Ensures the patient is speaking with a physician about their qualifying condition and maintains access to medical marijuana at current operational medical marijuana dispensaries.
• Provides medical marijuana patients access to discounts that may be offered at a dispensary.
• Ensures continued access to medical marijuana and exempts medical marijuana sales from the 10% excise tax that will be levied on non-medical cannabis sales per the approved statute.

Additionally, employers have discretion to establish their own drug-free workplace policies. Some individual employers have chosen to take the status of an employee as a medical marijuana patient into consideration. Similar considerations have been given for individuals under court supervision who are a medical marijuana patient.

Patients and caregivers can find more information and resources at www.com.ohio.gov/mmcppatients.

Program Update (as of 3/31/24)

• 962,124 Recommendations (a patient may have multiple recommendations)
• 424,468 Registered patients (historical)
  • 24,544 Patients with Veteran Status
  • 25,502 Patients with Indigent Status
  • 1,450 Patients with a Terminal Diagnosis
• 167,153 Patients with both an active registration and an active recommendation
• 405,185 Unique patients who purchased medical marijuana (as reported to OARRS by licensed dispensaries)
• 39,214 Registered Caregivers

To help inform physicians choosing to include instructions for use, the types of products currently available through the Medical Marijuana Control Program are listed below (As of 5/8/24).