Ohio veterans may be eligible for discounts at licensed cannabis dispensaries, depending on the dispensary’s written discount policy and applicable state requirements. However, understanding how Ohio’s veteran and indigent discount rules work can be confusing, especially because older information about medical marijuana registration fees and discounts may no longer apply.
If you are a veteran, receive SSDI or SSI, or are considering getting an Ohio medical marijuana card, it is important to understand the difference between Ohio’s medical marijuana registration requirements and discounts offered by licensed dispensaries.
Ohio law requires dispensaries that offer discounts to maintain written policies that ensure applicable discounts are available to registered veterans or indigent patients. Veterans may also need to provide documentation establishing their status before receiving an applicable discount.
This guide explains Ohio’s current veteran and indigent discount requirements, the documentation you may need, how dispensary discounts work, and what Ohio patients should know before visiting a dispensary.
What Is the Ohio Medical Marijuana Veteran Discount?
A medical marijuana patient who qualifies as a veteran may be eligible for a discount when the dispensary offers one under its written discount policy.
Under DCC guidance, a medical marijuana patient who presents qualifying documentation of veteran status must be offered any applicable veteran discount even if the patient’s veteran status is not displayed on the patient’s medical marijuana registration.
Ohio’s current dispensing rules require dispensaries to review applicable documentation establishing veteran or indigent status before completing a sale.
Veterans should therefore bring appropriate documentation when visiting a dispensary if they intend to request a veteran discount.
Can Veterans Get Discounts at Ohio Dispensaries?
Yes. A dispensary may offer discounts to qualifying veteran patients in accordance with Ohio’s discount requirements and its written discount policy.
Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1301:18-8-11 requires a dispensary that offers discounts to establish, maintain, and comply with written policies and procedures ensuring that any discount is offered to all patients registered as indigent or veteran. The rule also provides that any discount offered to a veteran may not exceed the discount offered under the indigent-or-veteran provision.
The DCC guidance also addresses discounts for non-medical veteran consumers. A dispensary may offer a discount to a non-medical veteran consumer, subject to the applicable DCC requirements and documentation rules. The guidance states that a discount offered to a non-medical veteran may be offered up to the same amount available to medical marijuana patients registered as indigent or veteran.
Because individual dispensaries may have different written discount policies, patients should contact
What Should Ohio Veterans Bring to a Dispensary?
If you are a veteran and want to request an applicable veteran discount, bring documentation establishing your veteran status.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
- VA Veterans Identification Card
- Ohio County Recorder Veterans Identification Card
- VA Healthcare Enrollee Identification Card
- Department of Defense identification card
- Department of Defense 100% VA Disabled Veteran or Dependent Identification Card
- DD214
- DD215
- National Guard Bureau military discharge certificate
- Applicable report of separation issued through the National Archives National Personnel Records Center
For non-medical veteran consumers, the DCC guidance specifically identifies active and unexpired identification that may be used for this purpose.
If you are uncertain whether your documentation qualifies, contact the dispensary before your visit.
Does Ohio Still Have the $50 Medical Marijuana Card Fee?
Ohio previously charged a $50 patient registration fee under its medical marijuana program. The patient registration fee was reduced to $0.01 effective March 4, 2024, with elimination planned once the state’s patient registry software could be updated.
Because the final removal date should be confirmed against the current DCC patient-registration information, older articles should not continue to describe the $50 fee as a current registration cost.
The program previously charged a $50 patient registration fee and a $25 caregiver registration fee. Those figures describe the previous registration-fee structure and should not be presented as current Ohio patient registration fees.
Important: Older Ohio medical marijuana articles may still mention the $50 patient fee or a 50% registration-fee reduction. Those figures describe the former registration-fee structure and should not be presented as current Ohio patient registration fees.
How Do I Get an Ohio Medical Marijuana Card?
A veteran or disability-related discount does not replace the normal requirements for participating in Ohio’s medical marijuana program.
Under Ohio’s current registration rules, a prospective patient generally must:
- Establish and maintain a bona fide physician-patient relationship with a recommending physician.
- Receive a diagnosis or confirmation of a qualifying medical condition.
- Complete the required patient registration.
- Be an Ohio resident unless an applicable reciprocal arrangement provides otherwise.
The recommending physician must hold a Certificate to Recommend issued by the State Medical Board of Ohio. Ohio law also requires the physician to meet specific requirements before recommending medical marijuana.
If you are considering medical marijuana certification, speak with an Ohio physician who is authorized to recommend medical marijuana and determine whether you meet the applicable requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do veterans get a discount on medical marijuana in Ohio?
Eligible veteran patients may receive a discount when a dispensary offers one under its written policy and Ohio’s requirements. Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1301:18-8-11 requires a dispensary that offers a discount to ensure that the discount is also offered to patients registered as veterans or indigent.
How much is the Ohio veteran medical marijuana discount?
There is no single statewide discount percentage that applies to every dispensary. The amount depends on the dispensary’s written discount policy and applicable Ohio requirements.
What proof do I need to receive a veteran discount?
| Documentation Type | Issuing Authority / Description |
|---|---|
| VA Veterans Identification Card (VIC) | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Ohio County Recorder Veterans Identification Card | Ohio County Recorder |
| VA Healthcare Enrollee Identification Card | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Department of Defense Identification | U.S. Department of Defense |
| DD214 | Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty |
| DD215 | Correction to DD214 |
| National Guard Bureau Military Discharge Certificate | National Guard Bureau |
| Applicable Report of Separation | Military service documentation |
| Department of Defense 100% VA Disabled Veteran or Dependent Identification Card | Department of Defense / VA |
Patients should confirm with the dispensary that their specific documentation meets the applicable requirements.
Do SSDI or SSI recipients get a medical marijuana discount in Ohio?
Ohio’s current rules define indigent status as enrollment in the federal SSDI or SSI disability programs, together with the required documentation.
Whether a patient receives a particular dispensary discount depends on the dispensary’s written discount policy and Ohio’s applicable requirements.
Does Ohio still charge $50 for a medical marijuana card?
No. Ohio reduced the former $50 patient registration fee to $0.01 effective March 4, 2024, with elimination planned once the state’s registry software could be updated. The former $50 fee should not be described as the current patient registration fee.
Can a veteran who is not a medical marijuana patient receive a discount?
A dispensary may offer a discount to a non-medical veteran consumer subject to Ohio’s requirements and the dispensary’s written discount policy. The DCC guidance contains specific provisions governing these discounts and the documentation that may be used to establish veteran status.
Can I combine my veteran discount with other dispensary promotions?
Not necessarily. Discount and loyalty programs are subject to Ohio requirements and the dispensary’s written policies. Ask the dispensary whether discounts can be combined before purchasing.
Where can Ohio veterans find additional veteran benefits?
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services provides information about veteran benefits and services, including resources beyond the medical marijuana program.
Does every Ohio dispensary offer a veteran discount?
Not necessarily. Ohio does not establish one universal veteran discount percentage for every dispensary. However, if a dispensary offers a discount, its written policy must ensure that the discount is also offered to patients registered as veteran or indigent, as required by Ohio law. Patients should contact the dispensary before visiting to confirm the current discount and what documentation is required.
Get Started With Your Ohio Medical Marijuana Card
If you are an Ohio veteran, on SSDI or SSI, or think you may qualify for Ohio’s medical marijuana program, Releaf Specialists can help you learn about the certification process and what steps to take next.
We can tell you about eligibility, certification and what you need to do to get an Ohio medical marijuana card.
Are you good to go? Schedule your appointment with Releaf Specialists today and take the next step toward getting your Ohio medical marijuana card.