Is Weed Legal In Ohio? | Laws, Rights, & Regulations

While recreational marijuana use may be decriminalized in certain states across the country, the recreational use of marijuana continues to be illegal in the state of Ohio. 

Although illegal for personal use, the state allows the use of medical marijuana for those suffering from certain health conditions.

Although weed is illegal for personal use in Ohio, weed is still recreationally used throughout the state according to the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network (OSAM). 

In fact, marijuana legalization is a current topic of interest among Ohio voters and a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana will be listed as an option to vote for on the 2023 November ballot.

Ohio Marijuana Laws

There are various laws associated with cannabis and THC. Medical marijuana laws vary greatly from those regarding recreational use of the cannabis plant.

Medical Marijuana

In 2016, House Bill 523 was signed into law and medical marijuana became legal in Ohio. According to lawmakers, this type of marijuana legalization permits use only in edible, vapor, patch, plant material, tincture, or oil form.

According to the Ohio State Information System of Cannabis Information, to receive medical marijuana, you must meet one of the following qualifying conditions:

• epilepsy (seizures)
• traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• crohn’s disease
• terminal illness
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• fibromyalgia
• ulcerative colitis
• alzheimer’s disease
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• cachexia, wasting syndrome
• cancer
• chronic pain (severe/Intractable)
• spinal cord injury
• glaucoma
• chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
• tourette syndrome
• spasticity
• parkinson’s disease
• huntington’s disease
• sickle cell anemia
• multiple sclerosis
• hepatitis c
• HIV/AIDS

Recreational Marijuana

In November 2023, recreational marijuana will be on the Ohio ballot as stated by the Ohio Secretary of State. While Republican Governor Mike Dewine opposed the original legalization initiative, the house bill passed the senate with large support from Democrats.

Possession Laws

Currently, marijuana possession of up to 100 grams is considered a minor misdemeanor. A person found guilty must also pay a fine of $150. However, those with a minor misdemeanor will not see it on their criminal record.

Those found with more than 100 grams in their possession but less than 200 is considered a misdemeanor. This can be punishable by 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Ohio Marijuana Regulations

Although medical marijuana is legalized in Ohio, there are regulations regarding the medical use of cannabis. Only Ohio Board of Pharmacy-approved dispensaries can sell cannabis to those who are registered with the Medical Marijuana Control Program.

Before purchasing from a dispensary, you must have a physician state you qualify for medical marijuana due to a health condition. Medical marijuana is for adult use only. Although some may qualify for medical marijuana, smoking in public remains illegal.

Other regulations regarding weed in Ohio include:

• it is legal to possess a 90-day supply of medical marijuana
• it is a felony to possess over 200 grams of marijuana
• it is illegal to grow weed for recreational or medical use

Recent & Upcoming Developments

Recently, Tom Haren, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol, provided hundreds of thousands of signatures to allow the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and older. This legalization initiative, if approved, will result in:

• legalizing the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis
• marijuana cultivation for personal use
• allowing dispensaries to sell marijuana for recreational use with a 10 percent sales tax
• the extra sales tax extending to social equity programs
• legalizing the possession of up to 15 grams of concentrate for adults 21 and over

If you or a loved one live with marijuana addiction and need help in Ohio, please contact us today.