What is your refund policy?
We aim to be as transparent about our refund policy as possible. It is as follows:
- Cancel within 24 hours of joining our service—100% refund
- Cancel after 24 hours—100% refund minus $25 fee.
- Reschedule/No-show/Cancel appointments less than 48 hours prior—$50 fee
- Once a recommendation is issued after your exam, our services are non-refundable in any way.
Do I receive my recommendation on the first visit?
Yes!!! Ohio state law requires that a certified physician activate your Medical Cannabis once they have completed an exam and confirmed that you qualify. At this time, you’ll receive your Patient ID number!
Am I guaranteed a medical marijuana/cannabis recommendation?
NO. While we do offer a money back guarantee if you do not pre-qualify, we DO NOT guarantee that you will receive a recommendation. You can only receive a recommendation if our doctors determine you have a qualifying condition as defined by Ohio law, and that the benefits of using medical marijuana outweigh the risks.
Do I have to pay for an evaluation fee if I do not receive a recommendation?
No, if you do not pre-qualify or receive a recommendation for evaluation you will be refunded your money in full.
How long does it take to get an Ohio medical marijuana/cannabis recommendation?
Approximately 15 minutes! Upon completion of your exam, if you qualify, your physician will immediately add you to the State’s patient registry. To get your card and begin treatment after you receive a recommendation, you must pay a fee to the State of Ohio Pharmacy Board and upload a passport style photo to apply for the card.
What Do I Need To Bring With Me To My Appointment?
You must provide a valid state-issued ID or Driver’s License and bring along any necessary medical documentation to support your diagnosis. This includes recent medical records, prescriptions, physician’s letter, chiropractor’s letter, x-rays, MRI’s or any other documentation related to your medical condition(s). Green Compassion Network’s prequalifying process helps you to accomplish this in advance of your face to face evaluation, thus expediting your medical cannabis qualification.
What Are The Standards For Admission Of Doctors Into The Green Compassion Network?
The Green Compassion Network has adopted strict standards in evaluating the doctors allowed to join our network of trusted physicians. Only qualified, licensed,
Will My Information Be Kept Private?
Absolutely. Green Compassion Network will treat your information with the utmost confidentiality. We will never add your name to any state list. And, we will only discuss your private information for verification purposes. Your visit to a medical cannabis doctor is considered part of your confidential medical record and your doctor will only discuss your medical condition and your medical cannabis recommendation for verification purposes. For more information, please view our privacy policy.
Do Recommending Doctors Accept Health Insurance?
No. Insurance companies currently do not cover medical cannabis; therefore, none of GCN’s in-network doctors accept insurance.
Is Medical Cannabis Legal Under Federal Law in the U.S?
No. Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, and federal law regulating marijuana supersedes state law in all states including U.S. territories. Legalized medical cannabis is regulated state by state.
What are the qualifying medical conditions that may be treated with medical marijuana?
Certified physicians may recommend medical marijuana only for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition. Under Ohio law, all of the following are qualifying medical conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.
Can new qualifying medical conditions be added?
The State Medical Board of Ohio established Nov. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018, as the first submission period for petitions to add a qualifying medical condition to the Medical Marijuana Control Program. NO PETITIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEFORE NOV. 1, 2018.
During the submission period next fall, all petitions should be filed electronically through the State’s website, medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov. A petition needs to include:
- The name and contact information.
- Specific disease or condition requested to be added.
- Information from experts who specialize in the study of the disease or condition
- Relevant medical or scientific evidence
- Consideration of whether conventional medical therapies are insufficient to treat or alleviate the disease or condition
- Evidence supporting the use of medical marijuana to treat or alleviate the disease or condition and other types of medical or scientific documentation
- Letters of support provided by physicians
Rule 4731-32-05, Ohio Administrative Code provides details regarding how to file a petition to add a condition and the supporting documentation is available in Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-05.
Under Ohio law, all of the following are already identified as qualifying medical conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.
Do I need to register?
Yes. All medical marijuana patients and their caregivers are required to register with the State Board of Pharmacy. Full details regarding registration as a patient or caregiver can be found in Chapter 3796:7-2-01 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
How long will my registered Medical Cannabis Card be valid?
A patient or caregiver registration will be valid from the date of issuance and expire one year later, on the last day of the month it was issued. If the patient is diagnosed as terminally ill, the patient’s registration will expire after six months.
Will my registration status be made publicly available?
No. The law prohibits the Board of Pharmacy, as well as licensed dispensaries, from making personal identifying information public. Physicians and those employed by dispensaries will be able to verify a patient or caregiver’s registration.
Where will I be able to obtain medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana will be available from retail dispensaries licensed by the Board of Pharmacy. Once the Board of Pharmacy has completed its dispensary licensing process dispensary locations will be made available through this site or the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program at medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov.
What forms of medical marijuana will be available?
The following forms of medical marijuana are permitted: oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles
Can new forms be approved?
Yes. An individual may petition the Board of Pharmacy to approve an additional form or method of using medical marijuana. The petition form can be found by visiting: www.medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/AddFormMethod.
Please note: The law prohibits any form or method considered attractive to children.
Will medical marijuana be available to minors?
Yes. However, a certified physician may recommend treatment with medical marijuana only after obtaining the consent of a parent or another person responsible for providing consent to treatment.
Will I be permitted to grow medical marijuana for personal consumption?
No. The law prohibits the cultivation of medical marijuana for personal, family, or household use.
How much medical marijuana will a registered patient or caregiver be able to possess at one time?
The amount of medical marijuana possessed by a registered patient or caregiver must not exceed a 90-day supply. Full details regarding a 90-day supply can be found in Ohio Administrative Rule 3796:8-2-04.
Will I be able to use my medical marijuana registration card in other states? Will an out-of-state card be recognized in Ohio?
The law requires that the Board of Pharmacy attempt to negotiate and enter into reciprocity agreements with other states. Before entering into an agreement with another state, the Board must determine that both of the following apply:
- The eligibility requirements imposed by the other state in order to obtain a registry identification card are substantially comparable to Ohio’s requirements; and,
- The other state recognizes a patient or caregiver registration and identification card issued in Ohio.
Does Ohio recognize medical marijuana cards issued by other states?
Currently, Ohio does not recognize medical marijuana registry cards issued in other states. The law requires that the Board of Pharmacy attempt in good faith to negotiate and enter into reciprocity agreements with other states. If Ohio does enter into a reciprocity agreement with another state, more information will be posted to the OMMCP website.
What is required of a physician to recommend medical marijuana now that House Bill 523 is effective?
A physician is not permitted to issue a state of Ohio approved written recommendation to use medical marijuana until the physician has obtained a certificate to recommend from the State Medical Board of Ohio. Per Bill 523, the rules outlining the standards and process needed to obtain such a certificate to recommend was developed prior to September 8, 2017. For more information, please visit the website for the State Medical Board of Ohio.
As a way to protect patients and parents or guardians of minor patients who seek to use marijuana prior to the creation and implementation of all the administrative rules necessary to run the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, HB 523 created an affirmative defense for certain marijuana-related crimes. According to the law, a patient, parent, or guardian can only raise an affirmative defense if they have, among other requirements, received a written recommendation from his or her doctor that certifies a certain number of criteria are met. The Board recommends that physicians consult with their private legal counsel and/or employer for interpretation of the legislation.