Our Ohio physician team evaluates patients who are seeking an initial medical marijuana recommendation or an annual renewal. Each doctor is licensed to practice medicine and authorized to recommend medical cannabis to qualifying Ohio patients.
You can schedule with an available DocMJ physician without searching through a general statewide provider list or trying to confirm whether a doctor holds the required certification. Appointment availability may vary, but every Ohio medical marijuana evaluation is completed by a physician with an active Certificate to Recommend.
Our current Ohio physician team includes:

Dr. Heather Samuelson is licensed in Ohio, Florida, and Georgia, with a medical background in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She attended St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed postgraduate training at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital. Her role includes evaluating qualifying conditions, medical history, symptoms, medications, and previous treatments before determining whether an Ohio medical marijuana recommendation is appropriate.

Dr. Clyde Watson is an Ohio physician with a background in orthopedic surgery and decades of medical practice. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and has practiced cannabis medicine in Ohio since 2019. His role includes evaluating qualifying conditions, treatment history, chronic pain, musculoskeletal concerns, spinal injuries, and current symptoms before determining whether a medical marijuana recommendation is appropriate.
A Certified-to-Recommend physician, also called a CTR physician, is a doctor authorized by the State Medical Board of Ohio to issue medical marijuana recommendations. Holding a standard medical license alone does not give a doctor permission to complete this part of the Ohio medical marijuana process.
CTR physicians must meet the medical board’s licensing, education, and application requirements. In Ohio, eligible medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine may apply for this certification.
This distinction matters because only an authorized physician can enter an approved recommendation into the Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver Registry.
Scheduling begins by choosing an available appointment through DocMJ. You can select a time that fits your schedule and complete the required forms before meeting with the physician.
Before your appointment, prepare:
You will be matched with an available Ohio Certified-to-Recommend physician. The doctor reviews your information and makes an individual medical decision rather than approving patients automatically.
Our Ohio physicians provide secure telehealth evaluations, allowing eligible patients to complete the required medical appointment remotely. You can join from home using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection.
You should be physically located in Ohio during the appointment and choose a private place where you can discuss your health without interruption. Telehealth changes where the visit occurs, but it does not reduce the medical review required for approval.
During the remote evaluation, your physician reviews your condition, medical documentation, symptoms, treatment history, current medications, and wellness goals. DocMJ currently offers telemedicine scheduling for Ohio patients seeking medical marijuana recommendations and renewals.
Your appointment is a private medical consultation. The physician begins by confirming your identity and reviewing the records you provided.
The discussion may cover how long you have experienced symptoms, how your condition affects daily activities, what treatments you have tried, and whether those treatments provided adequate relief. The doctor may also ask about medications, allergies, previous cannabis use, and health concerns that could affect treatment suitability.
Having a qualifying condition does not guarantee approval. The physician must determine that you meet Ohio requirements and that medical marijuana may be appropriate for your individual circumstances.
If approved, your physician enters the recommendation into the Ohio medical marijuana registry so you can complete the patient registration and digital card activation steps.
A new patient appointment is intended for someone who does not currently have an active Ohio medical marijuana recommendation. It may also be appropriate when a previous certification has expired and the patient needs to restart the process.
Bring clear medical documentation whenever possible. Records from a primary care physician, specialist, hospital, physical therapist, psychologist, or patient portal may help support the evaluation.
During the appointment, the DocMJ physician determines whether your documented diagnosis falls within an Ohio qualifying condition and whether medical cannabis may fit within your broader treatment plan.
If approved, you will receive instructions about accessing the Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver Registry and activating your digital medical card.
Ohio patients need an updated physician recommendation to maintain access through the medical marijuana program. A renewal visit allows the doctor to review your condition and determine whether medical cannabis continues to be appropriate.
Your physician may ask about changes in symptoms, side effects, treatment response, new diagnoses, medication changes, and your experience since the previous evaluation. This information helps the doctor make an informed decision about renewal.
You do not have to see the same physician who issued your original recommendation. You may renew with another DocMJ Ohio CTR physician, although the new doctor must still review your health information and complete an individual evaluation.
Schedule before your current recommendation expires to reduce the risk of an interruption in dispensary access.
We help Ohio patients connect directly with doctors who understand the medical marijuana recommendation process. Our physician pages and appointment system allow you to see who provides care and schedule without navigating an unrelated provider database.
Patients choose our Ohio doctors for:
Every recommendation is based on professional medical judgment. We do not promise approval before your physician has reviewed your condition and health information.
We help Ohio patients connect directly with doctors who understand the medical marijuana recommendation process. Our physician pages and appointment system allow you to see who provides care and schedule without navigating an unrelated provider database.
Patients choose our Ohio doctors for:
Every recommendation is based on professional medical judgment. We do not promise approval before your physician has reviewed your condition and health information.
This page lists DocMJ physicians who serve Ohio medical marijuana patients. It is not a directory of every Certified-to-Recommend doctor practicing in the state.
Provider availability may change as physician schedules, licenses, and patient demand change. The physician shown on this page may not be available at every appointment time.
Our doctors provide medical marijuana evaluations and recommendation services. They do not replace emergency care, ongoing primary care, specialist treatment, or legal advice about employment, housing, custody, firearms, or other patient-rights issues.
You can choose from the physicians and appointment times available when booking. The same doctor may not be available on every date, so appointment options depend on the current schedule.
You may select a previous physician when that doctor has an available renewal appointment. Another Ohio CTR physician can also complete your renewal after reviewing your current medical information.
Yes. Physicians providing Ohio medical marijuana evaluations through DocMJ must hold an Ohio medical license and an active Certificate to Recommend.
Yes. The directory provides available information about each physician’s education, medical background, and areas of experience so you can make a more informed appointment choice.
We will help you reschedule with another available DocMJ physician who is authorized to evaluate Ohio medical marijuana patients.