Ohio Cuts Cannabis Patient Fee to One Cent While New Jersey Offers Free Patient IDs

Medical cannabis patients in Ohio will soon only be charged a single cent to register for the state program, WCPO 9 News reports.

Regulators say they are working with a software company to eliminate the fee entirely but opted for a major cost reduction in the meantime. Previously, medical cannabis patients were charged $50 annually.

“The DCC understands that a one cent charge is not ideal; however, at this time the Division feels it is appropriate and necessary to provide this immediate financial relief for patients and caregivers in the short term while working toward a full fee elimination as soon as the updates to the registry can be made.” — DCC statement

Ohio isn’t the only state looking to reduce the financial strain on medical cannabis patients as cannabis regulators in New Jersey recently announced that starting in March, medical cannabis IDs will be available for free online. Registered patients — who were previously charged $10 to receive their physical cards — will be able to present their IDs using their phone or by printing them out.

“Our goal with this initiative is to improve accessibility and convenience for patients who require medical cannabis for their treatment,” Jeff Brown, executive director of the NJ-CRC, said in a press release. “By offering digital options, we make it more convenient for patients to receive the care they need.”

The cost reduction in Ohio follows the state’s successful legalization of adult-use cannabis last November. Despite pressure from the governor, however, retail sales have yet to commence.

Adult-use cannabis was legalized in New Jersey in 2021 and the state recently surpassed $2 billion in combined medical and recreational sales in the past five years.