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Is weed legal in Ohio? The state allows medicinal use, but not recreational. Different rules exist for residents; knowing them is vital for avoiding trouble.
Join us as we examine the current legal status of marijuana in the USA state. We also talk about the cultivation, possession, and consumption limits.
Ready to uncover cannabis history and laws in Ohio? Let’s go.
History of cannabis legalization in Ohio
The journey toward legalizing cannabis in Ohio began in 1975. The state reduced the penalties for possessing up to 3.5 ounces. It classified such amounts as a minor misdemeanor with a $150 fine. This law remains the same today.
There was an attempt to make weed legal in Ohio in 2015. The ballot measure known as Issue 3 failed at the polls, but attempts didn’t stop there.
House Bill 523 passed the Senate and House of Representatives in 2016. It legalized medical marijuana and set up a system to govern patient registration.
The law also defined how to get licenses for growing medicinal marijuana seeds. The Ohio Department of Commerce only allows Level I and II cultivators to grow. They can produce crops for large-scale medical supplies. Personal cultivation is illegal.
Ohio issued the first dispensary licenses in 2018, prompting sales to begin in 2019.
Residents are hopeful Ohio will join the list of states to legalize marijuana by the end of 2023. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected over 200,000 signatures. It’s the much-needed support to make a petition to legalize recreational marijuana.
The proposed law will make adult cannabis use legal across Ohio if successful. It’ll establish a new framework for fair taxation and proper regulation.
What are the Ohio marijuana laws?
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program provides the legal framework for patients. Specific requirements exist to get access to your medicine.
The 2018 laws specified 21 medical conditions to get weed in Ohio, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Pain that’s either chronic or intractable
- HIV
- AIDS
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sickle cell anemia
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Traumatic brain injury
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Spinal cord injury or disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
Cachexia, irritable bowel syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and spasticity are also qualifying conditions.
The state updated the list in 2021. It includes chronic migraines, arthritis, and complex regional pain syndrome. They fall into the category of “pain that’s either chronic or intractable.”
A certified physician has to verify your eligibility for medicinal cannabis. They then create a profile in the Patient and Caregiver Registry.
Marijuana isn’t legal in Ohio for recreational use. Only minimal possession allowances exist in the state. Having 3.5 ounces is a minor misdemeanor that won’t get you jail time or a criminal record.
Here are other marijuana laws to keep in mind:
- The law only allows patients to hold a 90-day supply of medicinal marijuana.
- Using cannabis in public is illegal. It’s better to consume it at home if you’re a medical cannabis user.
- Growing weed is illegal. Only licensed large-scale medical cultivators may plant CBD seeds and medicinal strains.
- It’s not legal to smoke weed in Ohio, even for medical use. Recommended forms include edibles, ointments, topical patches, capsules, and oils.
- Ohio Drugged Driving laws classify operating a car under the influence of weed as an offense. Refusing a chemical test leads to a license suspension for one year.
Marijuana is legalized in Ohio for medicinal purposes only. Recreational use remains illegal.
The law has decriminalized the possession of small amounts of weed. It’s a minor misdemeanor, but doesn’t result in jail time.
Growing any THC seeds is illegal in Ohio. The state doesn’t allow you to have a single cannabis plant at home. There are provisions in the law for dispensaries to grow for medical use.
Medicinal edibles with up to 0.3% THC are legal in Ohio for medical users. They may only use it privately in their homes. Public consumption is illegal, and you face possession charges if you use it openly.
Restrictions and limits
Restrictions and limits exist for cannabis possession, consumption, and cultivation in Ohio. Let’s explore them.
How many grams of weed can I possess in Ohio?
You may possess a 90-day supply, or 8 ounces of weed, with up to 23% THC. Weed is legal in Ohio for medicinal users, so these limits apply to them only. You’re allowed 5.3 ounces if the THC exceeds 23%. Patients may also carry 1.87 ounces of weed concentrate.
Having any amount of weed is illegal if you’re not a medical user. The penalties for possession vary depending on the quantities.
Having up to 3.5 ounces is a minor misdemeanor with no jail term, but you pay a fine of $150. Quantities of 3.5–7 ounces attract a prison term of 30 days and a maximum fine of $250. Amounts greater than 7 ounces constitute a felony, with prison terms reaching up to 8 years.
Can I grow cannabis in Ohio?
No, growing cannabis in Ohio is illegal. There are some exceptions to this law for large-scale medical cultivators.
The state licenses Level I cultivators to buy cannabis seeds in Ohio and plant in an area of 25,000 square feet. It also allows Level II cultivators a 3,000 square feet area for growing cannabis. They may also request expansion permissions in line with cultivation laws.
Is recreational marijuana legal in Ohio?
No, recreational marijuana in Ohio is illegal. Senate Bill 57 decriminalized the use of CBD oil provided it has less than 3% THC. Residents of the Buckeye State may only get hemp-derived products.
Where can I buy cannabis seeds legally in Ohio?
Growing recreational weed isn’t legal in Ohio, but the law may change soon to accommodate it. Seed Supreme is the best place to source quality seeds. Keep them as souvenirs as you await legislation changes.
Our seed bank products range from autoflowering to feminized and regular seeds. We offer them at affordable prices in line with your budget.
Key takeaways
Marijuana is legal in Ohio for medical use only. A state-licensed dispensary will only supply you if you have a medicinal card. Caregivers must also have the proper documentation to purchase for patient minors.
The state medical marijuana laws allow the possession of 8 ounces of buds with less than 23% THC. Recreational users hope for legislation to change before the end of 2023.
Frequently asked questions
Now that you know marijuana is legalized in Ohio, you may still have questions. Below are answers to common queries.
Will I go to jail for weed in Ohio?
No, you’ll only go to jail for weed in Ohio if law enforcement officers find you with over 3.5 ounces. Jail time ranges from 30 days for small amounts to eight years for large quantities.
Is it illegal to be high in public in Ohio?
Yes, it’s illegal to be high in public in Ohio. The law treats cannabis use in the open the same as possession. Penalties become more severe if police find you using near a school or minors.
Can you fly from Ohio with edibles?
No, you can’t fly from Ohio with edibles. You may only travel with medicinal weed within the state. The law considers it a federal felony to take it out of Ohio, and you could face jail time and fines.
