In a bid to alleviate financial burdens on medical cannabis patients, Ohio regulators have announced a significant reduction in registration fees, with patients soon to be charged only one cent to register for the state program. This move marks a considerable drop from the previous $50 annual fee.
The decision comes as regulators collaborate with a software company to ultimately eliminate the fee entirely, opting for a substantial cost reduction in the interim. The Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) justified the nominal charge, emphasizing the necessity of providing immediate financial relief to patients and caregivers while working towards a complete fee elimination.
“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,” stated the DCC.
Ohio joins other states in addressing financial concerns for medical cannabis patients. New Jersey, for instance, recently announced the waiver of fees for medical cannabis IDs, which were previously priced at $10 for physical cards. Instead, registered patients will have access to free digital IDs, streamlining accessibility and convenience for medical cannabis recipients.
Jeff Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC), emphasized the initiative’s aim to enhance patient care by offering digital options for ID presentation.
The move in Ohio follows the state’s recent legalization of adult-use cannabis last November. Despite legalization, retail sales are yet to commence, despite pressure from state authorities.
In contrast, New Jersey legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021 and has since witnessed significant growth in both medical and recreational sales, surpassing $2 billion in combined sales over the past five years.
As states continue to navigate cannabis regulations, initiatives aimed at easing financial burdens on medical cannabis patients demonstrate ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and affordability within the industry.
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