Last verified: March 2026
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) at a Glance
Oregon's medical cannabis program, established by Measure 67 in 1998, is one of the oldest in the nation. Administered by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the OMMP once served more than 78,000 patients. Today, with recreational cannabis widely available, the program has contracted significantly — but it continues to offer meaningful advantages for qualifying patients.
| Active Patients | 12,963 (April 2025) |
|---|---|
| Active Growers | 2,965 |
| Active Grow Sites | 2,669 |
| Annual Fee | $200 (reduced rates available) |
| Tax on Medical Cannabis | $0 (fully exempt) |
| Possession Limit | 24 ounces usable cannabis |
| Home Cultivation | 6 mature + 12 immature plants |
| Medical-Only Dispensaries | 0 (all dispensaries serve both markets) |
Patient Enrollment Decline
The OMMP has experienced a dramatic decline in patient enrollment since recreational cannabis became available:
| Year | Active Patients | Change from Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2015 (peak) | ~78,045 | — |
| April 2019 | 28,177 | −64% |
| April 2022 | 20,663 | −73% |
| April 2025 | 12,963 | −83% |
OMMP annual fee is $200 (highest in nation). Reduced rates: SNAP $60, OHP $50, SSI $20, Veterans $20 or waived. Zero medical-only dispensaries remain.
The decline reflects a combination of factors: recreational access eliminated the primary motivation for many patients (legal access), the $200 annual fee is the highest in the nation, and zero medical-only dispensaries remain — meaning medical patients shop at the same stores as recreational consumers.
Registration Fees
The standard OMMP registration fee is $200 per year. Reduced fees are available for low-income patients:
- SNAP recipients: $60
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP): $50
- SSI recipients: $20
- Veterans: $20 or waived entirely
At $200, Oregon's standard fee is significantly higher than most states with medical cannabis programs. For patients who consume regularly, the tax savings from the medical exemption can offset or exceed this cost — but for lighter users, the math may not justify maintaining a card.
Qualifying Conditions
A licensed Oregon healthcare provider must certify that you have one or more qualifying conditions. Eligible provider types include physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and naturopathic doctors — the expanded provider types ensure broader access to certification.
Common qualifying conditions include:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- PTSD
- Degenerative or pervasive neurological condition
- A condition causing severe nausea
- Seizures (including epilepsy)
- Severe or chronic pain
- Persistent muscle spasms (including MS)
- Alzheimer's disease
Why Keep a Medical Card?
With recreational cannabis available to anyone 21 and older, many patients question whether the OMMP card is worth the annual $200 fee. For qualifying patients, particularly those who consume regularly, the benefits remain substantial:
Complete Tax Exemption
OMMP patients pay zero tax — no state excise (17%) and no local tax (up to 3%). For a patient spending $300 per month on cannabis, the tax exemption saves approximately $600–$720 per year — well above the $200 card fee. This is one of the strongest medical exemptions in the country.
Higher Possession and Cultivation Limits
| Benefit | Medical (OMMP) | Recreational (21+) |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (public) | 24 ounces | 1 ounce |
| Possession (home) | 24 ounces | 8 ounces |
| Home plants | 6 mature + 12 immature | 4 per household |
| Tax rate | 0% | 17–20% |
| Annual fee | $200 ($20–$60 reduced) | None |
Designated Grower Program
Medical patients can designate a licensed grower to cultivate cannabis on their behalf. As of April 2025, there are 2,965 active growers operating at 2,669 grow sites across Oregon. The designated grower program allows patients who cannot or prefer not to cultivate their own cannabis to have a personal supply grown specifically for their needs.
New requirement (January 2026): Under SB 907, medical grow sites now require explicit written property owner consent. Patients and growers using leased property must obtain landlord approval before cultivating.
Where to Purchase
There are currently zero medical-only dispensaries in Oregon. All licensed dispensaries serve both recreational and medical customers. When purchasing with your OMMP card, inform the budtender at the point of sale to ensure your purchases are tax-exempt and recorded under your medical account.
Visit our dispensary directory to find licensed retailers near you.
Cannabis Education for Patients
Our partner site TryCannabis.org provides free, research-backed educational content on medical cannabis topics including:
- Condition-specific guidance for chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, and nausea
- Dosing fundamentals and microdosing strategies
- Methods of consumption and how to read lab results
- Drug interactions and safety considerations
- CBD vs. THC, cannabinoids, and terpenes
Patient Support Organizations
- Oregon NORML — ornorml.org — patient advocacy, consumption lounge advocacy, and consumer rights
- Cannabis Workers Coalition — cannabisworkerscoalition.org — worker protections that benefit patient-facing staff
- CannabisDependence.org — cannabisdependence.org — support and resources for cannabis use disorder
As of April 2025, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program serves 12,963 active patients, a decline of 83% from the peak of approximately 78,045 in October 2015. The annual registration fee is $200 with reduced rates for SNAP, OHP, SSI, and veteran applicants.
Oregon Health Authority — OMMP
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org