Marijuana laws in Ohio have been slowly changing over the past few years, with new legislation being passed that may eventually legalize marijuana for recreational use. Currently, the most significant change was made when House Bill 523 was signed into law by Governor John Kasich on June 8th, 2016. This bill allows patients with certain medical conditions to purchase and use CBD oil from licensed dispensaries. However, this is just one step towards full legalization of marijuana throughout Ohio—and many other states are still a long way off from even considering such a monumental change!
Recreational Marijuana Laws In Ohio
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Ohio. Ohio has some of the strictest marijuana regulations in the country. Anyone caught using or possessing marijuana could face a felony charge and up to one year in prison, even if they were using it for medicinal purposes.
This can be especially harsh for people who live in Ohio’s rural counties, where law enforcement officers often have little incentive to enforce these laws—primarily because of how profitable it can be for them to do so. As a result, many people fear that their lives may come crashing down if they are busted with even just a tiny amount of marijuana on them; driving with any amount of weed in your car is also illegal under Ohio’s driving influence (DUI) laws.
Medical Marijuana Laws In Ohio
Medical marijuana is legal in Ohio. Medical marijuana use is regulated by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, which licenses dispensaries and cultivators.
Medical marijuana can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including:
- Nausea related to chemotherapy or AIDS treatment
- Severe or chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments for at least six months
- Severe nausea caused by chemotherapy treatment for cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C or Crohn’s disease
The board has also approved medical marijuana for other conditions on an emergency basis.
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries In Ohio
Anyone entering a dispensary must provide their registration bar code, which may be found on their phone or printed out, and a state-issued driver’s license or picture ID. This also applies to minors who are patients. The patient or carer will be buzzed into a waiting room once their ID has been validated.
Ohio Marijuana CBD – Is Delta 8 legal in Ohio?
Delta-8 items manufactured from hemp are legal to purchase in Ohio. Because delta-8 THC is legal in Ohio, several online and retail shops do business there. In addition, licensed dispensaries are CBD retailers selling various delta-8 products.
Is CBD legal in Ohio?
Under the new federal law, Ohio will only recognize hemp-derived CBD oil, while marijuana and its derivatives are illegal for recreational use. As a result, only qualified patients can acquire CBD extracted from marijuana.
Ohio Marijuana Regulations
For individuals who are not registered as medical marijuana patients, possession of fewer than 100 grams (or about 3.5 ounces), giving 20 grams or less of marijuana to another person, or growing less than 100 grams of marijuana are each considered “minor misdemeanors,” punishable by a maximum fine of $150.
Driving On Marijuana In Ohio
Driving while under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, and driving while under the influence of marijuana is illegal. However, it’s important to note that any type of impairment while operating a motor vehicle is not only illegal but unsafe. Marijuana has been shown to slow reaction time and increase drowsiness, both things that can be deadly when combined with driving at high speeds.
If you are caught driving under the influence of marijuana in Ohio, you could face fines of up to $1,000 and jail time for up to six months.
Possession And Personal Selling Of Marijuana Are All Illegal In Ohio
Possession, sale, and trafficking of marijuana are all illegal in Ohio. Possessing more than 100 grams of marijuana can result in a felony charge.
Trafficking any amount of pot is a felony punishable by up to eight years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Selling less than 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) earns you a misdemeanor charge for possession but selling as much as 20 grams could land you jail time for up to six months and a fine between $100 and $250. Any amount above that will get your butt locked up for six months or longer with fines totaling between $500-$2,500 plus additional court costs that could add hundreds more dollars onto your bill if convicted on charges related to selling or trafficking marijuana
Ohio Marijuana Legislation in 2022
Most Ohioans support recreational marijuana legalization, with the most support not coming from the state’s youngest voters. Ohioans aged 35 to 49 were the most enthusiastic about legalizing recreational marijuana, with 81% in favor, followed by Ohioans aged 18 to 34, who were 76% in favor.
Ohioans will not vote on marijuana legalization on the November ballot, but the organization advocating for the change will try again in 2023. Members of the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected voter signatures earlier this year to present their adult-use marijuana plan to the Legislature. The bill would enable Ohioans aged 21 to purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate plants at home.
Final Thoughts on Marijuana Laws In Ohio
As you can see, marijuana laws in Ohio are stringent. If you’re found guilty of breaking them, severe consequences could affect your life for years to come. However, as long as you follow the rules and don’t get caught breaking them, there shouldn’t be any problems!