- Patients and caregivers wishing to obtain medical marijuana must receive a state-issued medical marijuana patient ID card.
- Individuals 21 and older can serve as a caregiver for up to three medical marijuana patients. Each patient can have up to three caregivers.
- The recommending physician submits the caregiver and patient name to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy medical marijuana patient and caregiver registry following their recommendation for medical marijuana.
- Alternatively, caregivers can submit their own Caregiver Registration application directly to the state board. However, this option is only available to patients who are already active in the registry.
- Patients under the age of 18 are required to have a parent or legal representative serve as their caregiver.
What is a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in the State of Ohio?
In Ohio, a caregiver is a person who can buy, transport, possess and administrator medical marijuana to an Ohio medical marijuana patient. This person is designated by the patient to administer that patient’s supply of medical marijuana. The person can be a parent, guardian, nurse, spouse or any applicable significant other. Application to become an Ohio medical marijuana caregiver is facilitated through an Ohio physician who is approved to recommend medical marijuana. Speak to an Ohio approved physician about becoming a caregiver.
For questions regarding caregiver registration, call the Ohio Medical Marijuana Toll-free Helpline at 1-833-4OH-MMPC (1-833-464-6627).
March 2020 Changes to Ohio Medical Marijuana Caregiver Process
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Ohio has revised its caregiver process. See this document at the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program’s site outlining the current process.
In addition to applying as a caregiver via approved physician, Ohio now allows individuals to apply directly to the state. The above link provides a document that can be printed, filled out, and submitted directly to the state.
Eligibility Requirements
- Proof of age, must be 21 years of age or older, unless applicant is the legal parent of a minor patient.
- Caregivers may serve as caregiver of a maximum of three patients.
- Caregivers must serve as a caregiver to the qualifying patient named in Section B of the Caregiver Registration Application.
- Upon submission of this form, caregivers will receive an email to complete their registration application, which requires an electronic payment of $25.00. Instructions for payment are included in the email.
- The Caregiver Registration Application must be completed and signed by the caregiver applicant. Electronic signatures are not accepted.
- A copy of the caregiver’s identification must be submitted showing the applicant’s name, address, and date of birth.
In addition to the above requirements, a background check of the applicant will be performed. For more information regarding this, speak to your physician about the nature of the background check performed.
See more information on patients and caregivers at the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program’s official website.
Also, see our article on getting an Ohio medical marijuana patient card so you can purchase medical marijuana at Ohio’s medical marijuana dispensaries.