Becoming a medical marijuana caregiver in Ohio is a significant responsibility and a rewarding opportunity. Caregivers provide essential support to patients who rely on medical cannabis for their treatment, helping to manage their medication and ensure adherence to their treatment plan.
This role is crucial for patients who may need additional assistance due to age, disability, or other factors.
Role of a Medical Cannabis Caregiver
A medical marijuana caregiver in Ohio is someone authorized to assist registered patients in obtaining, transporting, and administering medical cannabis.
Caregivers are designated by the patient and can be a family member, nurse, spouse, or another significant person such as a husband, mom, or dad.
Each patient in Ohio can have up to two caregivers, and an individual can serve as a caregiver for up to two patients.
Why Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver?
Becoming a caregiver allows you to provide essential support to patients who rely on medical cannabis for their treatment.
As a caregiver, you can help manage their medication, ensure they adhere to their treatment plan, and improve their overall quality of life. This role is especially important for a person with disability who may need additional assistance.
Step-by-Step Process For Caregiver Registration in Ohio
1. Check Your Eligibility
To qualify as a caregiver in Ohio, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old (or the legal parent/guardian of a minor patient).
- Be an Ohio resident with proof of residency.
- Pass a background check.
- Provide valid identification (e.g., state-issued ID, driver’s license, or U.S. passport).
2. Obtain a Recommendation from a Certified Physician
The patient you intend to care for must have a recommendation from a certified medical marijuana physician. This recommendation includes adding you as their designated caregiver. Only physicians with a certificate to recommend (CTR) medical marijuana can add you as a caregiver to a patient.
3. Activate Your Registry Account
Once added by the physician, you will receive an activation email from the Ohio MMCP. Follow these steps to complete your registration:
- Find the activation email in your inbox or spam folder.
- Click on the provided link to set up your account.
- Create a password for your registry profile.
4. Complete the Caregiver Registration Application
Log into the Ohio Patient & Caregiver Registry at www.ohiomedicalmarijuanaregistry.com using your email address and password. Complete the caregiver registration form with your personal details and upload a copy of your ID.
5. Pay the Registration Fee
There is no longer a registration fee for caregivers as of May 15. Caregivers. For more details, mush read updated newsletter of Ohio’s CTR Physicians: https://clt945532.bmeurl.co/111075D8
6. Await Background Check Approval
After submitting your application and paying the fee, the MMCP will conduct a background check, which can take up to 7-10 business days. You will receive an email notification once your caregiver status is approved.
7. Receive and Use Your Caregiver ID Card
Upon approval, you can download and print your caregiver ID card from the Ohio Patient & Caregiver Registry. This card allows you to legally purchase medical cannabis products on behalf of your patient.
How Caregiver Approval Works?
Before a caregiver can purchase medical marijuana, the MMCP staff must confirm their eligibility. This involves checking seven separate databases as required by Rule 3796:7-2-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code. If the caregiver appears in any of these databases, the MMCP must deny the registration.
Important Note: The caregiver eligibility review will occur once the caregiver is added to a patient. The caregiver cannot purchase medical marijuana until the MMCP completes this review, which can take up to seven business days.
How To Renew Caregiver Registration?
Caregivers in the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program must renew their registration annually. Within 90 days of their registration expiring, caregivers can log into their profile on the Registry (www.ohiomedicalmarijuanaregistry.com) using their email address and password.
To renew, caregivers should follow the given steps:
- Log into the Registry account and click the “RENEW CARD” button.
- Pay the renewal fee.
- Download and print the new caregiver ID card once the payment is processed.
After renewing, the caregiver must undergo the eligibility review again before purchasing on behalf of the patient. This review can take up to seven business days, but is typically much faster.
Why MMTC is the Best Choice for Our Patients?
At MMTC, we strive to make the caregiver registration process as smooth and efficient as possible. Our team provides comprehensive assistance to ensure you meet all requirements and help streamline your application and renewal process. By choosing MMTC, you receive support every step of the way, making the entire experience hassle-free.
For more information or assistance, contact the Ohio MMCP via email at MMCPRegistry@com.ohio.gov.
