Is Marijuana Legal In Ohio?

Whether you enjoy visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or indulging in the famous Cincinnati chili, Ohio has a lot to offer. The allure of the Buckeye state now extends to cannabis products, as the medicinal and recreational use of weed was legalized as of 2023.

At a Glance

• Medical marijuana use in Ohio has been legal since 2016.
• A vote in November 2023 considered residents’ ability to buy, possess, and grow cannabis.
• Adults aged 21 and older can now possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis.
• Those who wish to grow cannabis are allowed up to six plants for personal use.

Keep reading to learn more about safely using cannabis in Ohio.

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Is Weed Legal In Ohio?

To begin, yes, weed for medicinal and recreational purposes is legal in Ohio. Medicinal marijuana use has been legal since 2016. Recreational use was recently legalized in November 2023 after Ohio residents voted in favor of the Marijuana Legalization Initiative.

It’s important to know the difference between handling medical and recreational marijuana. 

Ohio law requires an individual to be 18 years old to purchase from certified medical dispensaries. You’ll also need to consult a physician who is certified to recommend medical marijuana. The physician must verify the presence of a medical condition that qualifies for medicinal marijuana. Only then will you be allowed to possess a 90-day supply.

If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian involved in the purchase. You will also need to register for the medical medicinal program via the patient and caregiver registry.

You might also notice a slight difference in the products that are available according to the type of use. Most products offered for medical use are also available for recreational use, except for products that you can smoke. Combustion of marijuana flower is not permitted in the medical program, but it is allowed in the recreational marijuana program.

When Did Ohio Legalize Marijuana?

Once the ballot initiative passed in November 2023, recreational marijuana became legal in December. This law allows adults aged 21 and older to have up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis in their possession and grow up to six plants for personal use.

This law also established the Division of Cannabis Control, which oversees marijuana for adult use. This includes setting appropriate public safety and health guidelines, overseeing product testing, and regulating labs.

It’s important to note that in Ohio, it is not prohibited for dispensaries to cultivate cannabis themselves. Licensed cultivators are able to grow and sell cannabis to licensed processors and dispensaries.

Cannabis sales are subject to a 10% sales tax and tax revenue allocation. One component of this is the administrative costs related to cannabis regulation. Others include more community-based programs such as social equity and addiction treatments.

The previously mentioned tax allocation regarding social equity and jobs is an important aspect of the cannabis industry. You or someone you know may hope to get started in the business, but it may seem like there are too many odds stacked against you. You’ll be glad to know that the social equity and jobs programs supporting disproportionately impacted communities can help with certification, financial assistance, and application fees for participants in the social equity program.

Another component of this law is the creation of more resources for addiction treatment. It helps the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop an addiction assistance program for cannabis and controlled substances. Additionally, it creates and funds a toll-free number that can be used to get information about seeking help for those dealing with addiction.

How Many States Allow Recreational Use Now?

Recreational cannabis use is currently legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C. The parameters may vary for each state, as 2.5 ounces are acceptable in Ohio, but in some other states like Vermont, only one ounce is allowable. In New York, for example, you may possess up to three ounces.

In June 2024, applications allowing existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio to hold dual licensing for the sale of non-medical cannabis became available.

With the onset of adult-use cannabis, lawmakers in Ohio are determined to protect minors from targeted advertisements and deceitful packaging that may encourage excessive use of cannabis products.

Tips For Making Safe Marijuana Purchases

Now that the initiative has passed and is taking shape, legal marijuana purchases are expected to commence later in 2024. As you prepare to browse for the best selection, you’ll want to keep the following tips in mind.

Only Purchase From Licensed Dispensaries

• Only buy medicinal marijuana from licensed medical dispensaries.
• Legalization of recreational sales will allow you to buy cannabis and cannabis products.
• You may find varying prices across dispensaries. Ohio does not cap marijuana prices.
• Available forms include plant materials and seeds, extracts, combustible products, edibles, oils, and pills.
• If buying CBD or THC products online, be sure to purchase from reputable brands that follow clean practices. All products from Clean Remedies are tested by an accredited third-party laboratory for purity and potency.

Know the Substance

• Cannabis contains many cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
• THC is responsible for the altered mental state or “high” experienced.
• Cannabis plants that have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight are called “hemp” instead of marijuana.
• Products may be labeled as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate.
•  Full-spectrum products contain all compounds found in the cannabis plant, like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
• Broad-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of THC.
• An isolate is pure CBD.

Potency

• Don’t use cannabis at doses too strong for you.
• Start with the lowest dose to learn how much you can tolerate.
• Be mindful that it’s easy to overconsume concentrates that contain heavy amounts of THC and little CBD.
• The newly passed market regulations consist of potency limitations no lower than 35% in plant material and 90% in extracts.

Safety Use

• Tinctures for under your tongue or edibles may be suitable alternatives to smokeables.
• Avoiding driving after using cannabis.

Should I Use Cannabis?

• Consult your physician before using cannabis
• Be mindful of the impact cannabis may have on any prescriptions you may be using.

Possible Side Effects

• The effects of CBD may include dampened alertness and appetite, mood changes, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Regular THC use has been linked to cognitive impairment and other psychological effects.

Final Thoughts

As you navigate Ohio’s newest cannabis law and subsequent changes pertaining to cannabis control, be mindful of what you can do, as well as what you probably shouldn’t do. 

Though recreational marijuana will soon take effect in Ohio, there are still some limitations you’ll want to be aware of. A landlord is within their rights to ban the growing or combustion of cannabis on the leased property if these provisions are included in the lease. You’ll also note that any employer who wishes to enforce zero-tolerance policies is permitted to do so.

Additionally, be mindful that even though home cultivation of cannabis has become legalized, you must only cultivate on the grounds of your primary residence, in an enclosed area that is inaccessible to anyone younger than 21 years old. In addition to this, remember that business applications have only just become available in June 2024, so purchasing for recreational use is not yet authorized.

Bonus: Is Marijuana a Depressant, Stimulant, or Hallucinogen?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke weed in public in Ohio?

No. The recent law is still subject to change, and as such, a senate bill introduced last month proposes banning smoking or vaping in public places. Additionally, public smoking and smoking as a passenger in a vehicle can result in fines of up to $150.00. Other prohibited places include parks and parking lots, as well as government buildings and healthcare facilities.

Do you go to jail for weed in Ohio?

Driving under a marijuana-induced impairment can lead to time in jail. The penalties range based on the weight of the first offense to the sixth offense and can include fines, jail sentences, addiction programs, and license suspension. From the first offense, there may be a maximum of six months in jail, which increases with the severity and number of offenses, such as a five-year sentence for the sixth offense.

Jail time or imprisonment of up to six months is possible if an individual younger than 21 presents false identification to purchase, sell, or grow adult-use cannabis. This means any individual knowingly involved in providing or selling cannabis to an underage person or allowing them to use their facilities to cultivate cannabis can be penalized. Before this severity, another possible penalty is a fine between $250 and $1,000.

Also, be advised that the distribution of marijuana can lead to imprisonment, as it’s illegal to ship, transport, or deliver marijuana. This classifies as marijuana trafficking and can result in a maximum eight-year prison sentence. You’ll want to avoid gifting or giving out cannabis, as well as traveling with it, even if you’re going to a marijuana-friendly destination.

Are edibles legal in Cleveland, Ohio?

Once the law goes into effect, adult-use cannabis market businesses can sell nonmedical cannabis in the form of edibles. Some other forms include tinctures, oils, and patches. Before the passage of this law, edibles were only available for medical marijuana use and could not contain more than 200 milligrams (mg) of THC per package and not exceed 10 mg of THC per serving.

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