Is Weed Legal in Ohio? 2024 Update and More
April 1973: Dr. Hook, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles all played at the Ohio University Music Festival. This huge event was witnessed by thousands of music lovers and remembered long after the party ended. Conversely, only a month prior, former President Richard Nixon stated to a small group of aides and advisers that he knew marijuana was “not particularly dangerous” despite launching a war on drugs two years earlier. This war on drugs would have a tremendous impact on every aspect of American society for the next 40+ years, yet Nixon’s inner thoughts on cannabis and associated legal punishments are just now coming to light in 2024.
Understanding Ohio Marijuanas Laws
Ohio cannabis laws are now making for a better future for consumers. In Ohio, cannabis became more accessible at the beginning of August, when recreational sales opened for the first time. No longer is the question “When will Ohio go recreational?” or “Is weed legal in Ohio?” Rather, it’s “Where is cannabis legal in Ohio dispensaries?” and “How have cannabis laws in Ohio changed?”
Below is information about legislation and business affecting the Ohio marijuana market:
Current Cannabis Laws in Ohio
Ohio cannabis regulators have recently capped the number of licenses allowed for adult-use stores in the state’s three largest cities: Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the state Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) recently approved 121 additional applications for retailers while also ruling that 47 of them cannot be in Franklin, Cuyahoga or Hamilton counties, as the DCC ruled those areas currently host adequate retail. Adequate in this circumstance is 28 active cannabis stores. Generally, municipal governments control the number of licensees allowed by law; the DDC limitation is a separate decree.
The DDC has also been busy reviewing and fining those advertising cannabis in Ohio. A total of $212,500 in fines were issued to five companies for violations of Ohio marijuanas laws. These violations ranged from improper signage to offering of free food and beverages from an ice cream truck. Inappropriate social media posts were also an issue. In July 2024, regulators set strict advertising rules that prohibited ribbon cuttings, celebratory décor and product displays outside the dispensaries in anticipation of Ohio recreational weed becoming available. Product samples, on-site consumption and the hosting of music or food trucks outside dispensaries are also banned.
More Cannabis Laws in Ohio
Additional proposed rules surrounding facility visitors, waste disposal, entity distance from prohibited facilities, minimum security and surveillance requirements, hours of operation, disposal of products, operating procedures, and quality assurance are under evaluation. Keep abreast of progress directly on the Proposed DCC Rules page, which can be found here. When adopting, amending or rescinding a rule, the DCC sets a public hearing date and provides public notice in the Register of Ohio at least 30 days prior. The public notice includes a copy of the proposed rule for the Ohio marijuana market as well as the date, time and location of the public hearing. At the hearing, any person affected by the proposed cannabis laws in Ohio may present comments in writing or verbally.
Shaping the Ohio Marijuana Market
A consumer alert was issued by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) regarding cannabis in Ohio that contains Delta-8 THC and features packaging that appeals to children, a big no-no across the industry. The alert is part of a series of warnings issued by Governor Mike DeWine and the DDC tied to the dangers of unregulated, untested and unsafe products. Because intoxicating hemp products are not currently regulated, active Ohio law does not prevent sales to residents, including to children.
“The DeWine-Husted administration has said repeatedly that we have this clear and present danger on store shelves across the state by way of unregulated, untested and unsafe products containing Delta-8 THC that are easily obtainable by Ohio’s youth,” said DCC Superintendent Jim Canepa. “As the division prepares to introduce non-medical cannabis products that have met our highest standards of testing and safety, we must ensure dangerous, unregulated products such as Delta-8 are removed from circulation. The packaging of these products can make them look exactly like candy and the products themselves lack any testing requirements, so Ohio consumers, especially children, have no way of knowing exactly what they are purchasing, which is extremely dangerous.”
Experience Cannabis in Ohio and More at CannaCon!
Is marijuana legal in Ohio? Yes! And the state government has been busy ensuring Ohio cannabis laws are up to date with national trends and local issues. Stay informed by attending CannaCon in Cleveland on Oct. 3-4, 2024, to participate in the nation’s leading business-to-business cannabis conference. Their goal is to grow the cannabis industry by educating cannabis business owners on all things related to cannabis and CBD. Their trade shows feature a large exhibition hall with exhibitors from around the country as well as seminars delivered by industry experts. Secure your tickets right away!