How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Oregon

What is an MMJ Card in Oregon?

A medical marijuana card in Oregon is a state-issued card that identifies participants in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). A valid medical marijuana card verifies that the cardholder has been certified to possess and use medical marijuana in the state. It also exempts the cardholder from criminal and civil penalties for conduct pursuant to the medical use of marijuana. The OHA issues medical marijuana cards to qualifying patients, personal caregivers, and dispensary agents. Oregon medical marijuana cards were established by the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, a law that began as a citizen initiative which passed with 54.6% voter approval. The Act was initially passed in 1998 under ballot Measure 67.

Who Can Apply for an MMJ Card in Oregon?

To be statutorily applicable to apply for a medical marijuana card in Oregon, the applicant must:

• Be a legal resident of Oregon
• Be 18 years or older
• Possess of the debilitating medical conditions approved for treatment with medical marijuana
• Obtain a written recommendation for the use of medical marijuana from an Oregon-licensed medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO)

Can a Minor Obtain an MMJ Card in Oregon?

Yes. A minor must satisfy the following conditions to receive a medical marijuana card in Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). The minor patient must:

1. Possess one of the approved debilitating medical conditions
2. Obtain a recommendation from an Oregon-based physician for the use of medical marijuana to treat the condition.
3. Have a parent or legal guardian accept to serve as their primary caregiver. The parent must complete and attach the Minor Responsibility Declaration Form. Also, they must complete the caregiver section of the Patient Application Form to register as a caregiver with the OMMP.

What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in Oregon in 2024?

The following are the approved medical conditions that qualify for a medical marijuana card in Oregon:

• Cancer
• Degenerative or pervasive neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Patients whose medical conditions cause any of the following symptoms also qualify for medical marijuana cards:

• Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
• Persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to spasms caused by multiple sclerosis
• Seizures, including those caused by epilepsy
• Severe pain
• Severe nausea

How Do I Apply for an MMJ Card in Oregon in 2024?

Patients who wish to apply for a registry ID card with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) must be diagnosed with at least one of the approved medical conditions. The patient must then obtain acceptable medical records from the physician describing their diagnosis of the condition. The physician must also provide the patient with a signed Attending Physician's Statement which recommends medical marijuana to treat the condition. The physician must be a Medical Doctor (M.D) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O) licensed in Oregon.

OMMP applications can be completed online or by sending a completed application and supporting documents, by mail, to:

Oregon Health Authority

Medical Marijuana Program

P.O. Box 14450

Portland, OR 97293-0450

Complete the Application Form to register on the OMMP patient registry. Patients are required to provide copies of valid government-issued photo IDs along with proof of their Oregon residency. For a minor patient, a parent or legal guardian must complete the minor consent form and the caregiver section in the patient registration form.

How Does a Primary Caregiver Get an Oregon MMIC?

A patient in the Oregon medical marijuana program (OMMP) can designate a caregiver to assist in the management of their medication. To be registered as a caregiver in the OMMP, the individual must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Agree to be significantly responsible for the patient's welfare
• Not be the patient's primary physician

A patient who requires a caregiver must state this in their application and complete the caregiver section of the form. The caregiver will need to provide a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and include a mailing address, along with the patient's supporting documents. If the patient is a minor, the person responsible for making their healthcare decisions must serve as their caregiver. If the patient's application is approved, the caregiver will also receive their Oregon medical marijuana registry ID card.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Oregon MMIC?

From the day of submission of a registration application, it takes up to 30 days (and possibly more) to receive an approval notification. However, Oregon medical cannabis statutes require that all registry applications be processed within 30 days. When all the supporting documents are cleared, the registration fee paid, and the application is approved, the OMMP will mail the card to the patient. It can take up to 10 days after approval for a patient to receive their registry ID card by mail.

Getting an Oregon MMJ Card Online?

To apply for an Oregon medical marijuana card online, the patient must access the OMMP online portal to submit their application. The patient will still be required to obtain a signed Attending Physician's Statement from a physician with whom they have a bonafide relationship. In the OMMP portal, select the "Patients" option and follow the instructions to complete the registration. The patient must also upload their supporting documents to the portal and this must be done within 90 days of the application date. The patient is expected to upload:

• Copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• Proof of residency
• Attending physician's statement
• Evidence of eligibility for the reduced fee (if applicable)

The OMMP will send an acknowledgment receipt, which can function as a card legally for 30 days, if all the application packet is complete. The OMMP is required to complete the processing of an application within 30 days; if the application is approved, the card will be mailed to the patient.

Caregivers will also be required to upload copies of valid photo IDs and proof of residency after completing the caregiver section of the application if required by the patient.

How Much Does an MMJ Card Cost in Oregon?

An Oregon medical marijuana program registry ID card costs $200 for new applications and is valid for 12 months. Renewals of Oregon MMJ cards also cost $200. Persons are government assistance and military veterans are entitled to reduced fees and must show evidence to receive this entitlement. Persons on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are entitled to pay $60, while persons on Oregon Healthcare plan cards pay $50. Individuals on Supplemental Security Income benefits and military veterans pay $20. The OMMP also charges a $200 grow site registration fee for persons who grow medical cannabis for other patients.

How Do I Renew My MMJ Card?

Oregon medical marijuana cards must be renewed annually for the patients to retain their statutory rights. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) must receive a complete renewal application by the card's expiration date for the patient to remain registered. The OMMP mails renewal notices and packets to registered patients 60 - 90 days prior to the expiration of the patients' current registrations. Registration renewals can be submitted online or by mail.

To submit a renewal application online, sign in to your existing account on the OMMP portal. Select "patient renewal" and follow the instructions to complete the renewal. The system retains information from the patient's most current registration, which can be modified by the patient where necessary. To complete the renewal application, the patient will also need to submit:

• A copy of a valid government-issued photo-ID
• Proof of residency
• Signed attending physician statement
• $200 Renewal fee

For mail applications, the patient should complete the Application Form and attach the signed Attending Physician Statement, other supporting documents, and the renewal fee. Mail the completed package and documents to:

Oregon Health Authority

Medical Marijuana Program

P.O. Box 14450

Portland, OR 97293-0450

Phone: (917) 673-1234

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for an MMJ Card in Oregon?

A patient applying for an Oregon medical marijuana registry ID card will be required to provide the following documents, during their application:

• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, social security card, or passport.
• Proof of Oregon residency (if required)
• Signed attending physician statement
• Evidence of eligibility for a reduced fee (if applicable)

If the patient is a minor, the parent or legal guardian will also need to provide a signed and notarized Minor Responsibility Declaration Form.

Are My Details Kept Confidential When I Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Oregon?

As part of its statutory obligations, the Oregon medical marijuana program (OMMP) maintains an up-to-date register of patients, caregivers, and growers in the state. All identifying information contained in this register is confidential and not subject to disclosure to the public. This is because information contained in the OMMP register is considered medical information and subject to the Healthcare Insurance Protection and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is the federal law that established the standards regulating the release of a patient's health information, subject to the privacy rule. The privacy rule balances the flow of information needed to ensure quality healthcare and public safety and a patient's right to privacy. Information contained in the OMMP register is only available at the explicit written request of the patient.

Law enforcement agencies may only gain limited access to the OMMP register, insofar as to verify a specific name or address of a cardholder. The information available to the agency will confirm if the person in question has a valid registration with the OMMP or one in progress.

What Information Appears On An Oregon Medical Marijuana Card?

An Oregon medical marijuana program registry ID card will contain the following information about the patient (or caregiver):

• Name
• Card registration number (Patient or Caregiver)
• Date of birth
• Card issue date
• Card effective date
• Card expiry date
• Photo

Can Someone Track Me Down Through The Oregon Registry?

It is not possible for someone to legally track you down using the Oregon medical marijuana registry. As part of the provisions of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, the Program is required to maintain a register of all cardholders in the state. All identifying information associated with a cardholder is protected by HIPAA and, thus, confidential. The information can not be disclosed to a third party without the explicit consent of the owner of the information.