QUALIFYING PATIENTS IN OREGON
After a licensed physician has determined that medical cannabis may be an effective treatment for you, a completed application must be sent to the OMMP the patient ID. The application requires a physician's statement that contains (a) the diagnosis of a debilitating medical condition and (b) a medical opinion that the medical use of marijuana may mitigate the symptoms or effects of the condition. Alongside your doctor's recommendation, you will have to submit copies of current valid photo ID issued by the state of Oregon. There is a $200 registration fee for most patients,if you can provide proof of your enrollment in SNAP, the fee is $60; with OHP eligibility it is $50, and for veterans or Social Security recipients, it is $20. Application forms to apply online or by mail can be found on the Oregon Health Authority website.
If, upon an initial review, it appears that a complete application has been received, you will be issued a receipt letter. This receipt has the same legal effect as a registry identification card for 30 days following the date printed on the letter. Once your application is finished being processed, a card will be mailed to you.
If your application is NOT complete, OMMP staff will send you an "Incomplete Letter" to let you know what needs to be submitted to complete your application. You will have 14 days from the date of the letter to get the missing application materials to OMMP. If the missing application materials are not submitted within the 14 days, your application may be rejected.
Eligible conditions:
If you are diagnosed with one of the following conditions, you may be eligible for physician certification as a patient in Oregon:
- cancer,
- glaucoma,
- agitation due to Alzheimer's disease,
- HIV/AIDS,
- cachexia (severe weight loss or "wasting syndrome"),
- severe pain,
- severe nausea,
- seizures,
- persistent muscle spasms,
- or to relieve the side effects of a treatment for any of these conditions.
Becoming a Patient as a Minor:
If you are under the age of 18 and wish to become a medical cannabis patient, you must have permission from a patent or legal guardian. Your parent or legal guardian will have to complete a minor declaration form (PDF). The document certifies that your parent or legal guardian has been informed of the side effects of cannabis for you and their duties as your caregiver which include both the acquisition of your medicine, the dosage and frequency of use.
Benefits of Being a Patient:
In the unlikely event that you are arrested for cannabis possession in Oregon, you will have an affirmative defense in court. You will be allowed to grow up to six plants at home or designate someone to do so on your behalf. You will not be turned away for an organ transplant due to cannabis use.
Becoming a Caregiver:
Patients may designate individuals to grow on their behalf in Oregon. For more information, see the home cultivation section below.
Out-of-State Patients:
Oregon does not recognize Out-of-State patient registrations. For more information about traveling as a medical cannabis patient, check out our Travel Guide.
Home Cultivation:
A patient may grow up to Six mature plants for him or herself or designate an individual 21 years or older to act as his or her grower. The OMMP conducts a criminal background check on all designated growers. If a grower has been convicted of felony violating ORS 475.752 through 475.920 on or after January 1, 2006, that person is prohibited from growing marijuana for a patient for two years from the date of conviction for the first offense. Individuals with more than one conviction are permanently prohibited from growing. A grower may start growing for a patient on the effective date found on the grower's registration card. Patients growing medical marijuana or designating a grower are required to provide the OMMP with the grow site address. Only one grow site address may be registered per patient. Grow sites must be a physical address located in Oregon.
Cannabis Expungement:
Since legalizing marijuana in 2016, the state of Oregon has introduced a few processes for overturning and reducing previous cannabis-related convictions. The state set up a “set-aside process” for anyone under the age of 21 who was convicted of possession, delivery, or manufacture of cannabis, upon complying with their sentence. In 2019, Senate Bill 420 was signed by Governor Kate Brown, which establishes procedures to file a petition and have convictions set aside for anyone who has been found guilty of a low-level cannabis possession offense. Senate Bill 970 was then signed, prohibiting landlords from taking discriminatory action against anyone who uses medical cannabis or has cannabis-related convictions. “Senate Bill 420 and Senate Bill 975 expanded expungement eligibility, waived court filing fees, eliminated the need for a background check, and set up an easier online process.” Forms are available from the Oregon Judicial Branch.
Medical cannabis patients can find additional resources here
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