As a trusted source of medical cannabis for communities and patients across Ohio, the questions we get most are about the current state of Ohio cannabis laws and what they mean for current patients and future customers.
Cannabis is legal in Ohio—for both patients and all adults aged 21 and older—but adult-use (or non-medical) sales haven’t started yet. Keep reading to get a full run-down on cannabis laws in the Buckeye state, how they impact patients and adults of legal age, and how they are poised to change once adult-use cannabis sales kick off in the coming months.
Is Cannabis Legal in Ohio?
Yes, cannabis is legal for both adult-use and medical cannabis patients in Ohio. Medical cannabis has been legal since 2016, and in November 2023, Ohioan voters supported a ballot initiative (Issue 2) to legalize non-medical cannabis for adults 21 and up.
While the bill signed into law in December 2023 made adult-use cannabis legal, the legislation didn’t immediately provide a way for consumers to buy it. Instead, the law spells out a months-long path to regulated sales, meaning it will still be a little while before you can walk into a licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary and purchase cannabis.
What’s the Timeline for Adult-use Sales?
As of this writing, lawmakers are required to begin the adult-use sales license application process by June 7, 2024. Many of those licenses are “dual-use”—meaning that existing medical dispensaries can apply for them—so the hope is that adult-use sales can begin this summer.
Here at The Landing, we’re excited about deepening our roots and growing our community to include all cannabis-loving Ohioans. We’ll be ready to get rolling as soon as our family of dispensaries is licensed and certified.
Ohio Medical Cannabis Laws
As of 2024, Ohio’s medical cannabis program serves roughly 167,000 Ohioans carrying active medical cannabis cards. The application process is relatively straightforward—it requires an assessment from a “Certified to Recommend” physician and then registration with the state.
If you believe you suffer from one or more qualifying conditions, consider applying for an Ohio medical cannabis card. While there are a few steps and administrative fees involved, getting a card means you can access cannabis ahead of adult-use sales opening up, and you’ll be exempt from the 10% excise tax applied to all non-medical cannabis sales.
Some qualifying conditions include:
AIDS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Alzheimer’s disease
Cancer
Crohn’s disease
Epilepsy or similar seizure disorder
Fibromyalgia
Multiple sclerosis
Pain that is either chronic, severe, or intractable
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Terminal illness
The list of products offered for sale under Ohio medical cannabis laws is extensive, running the gamut from fresh, Ohio-grown flower to potent concentrates, convenient vapes, fast-acting topicals, long-lasting edibles, and much more.
Ohio’s medical program and our dispensaries will continue to support patients once adult-use sales begin, and you’ll need to maintain active registration in the program to continue to access medical cannabis.
Medical Cannabis Purchase and Possession Limits
In Ohio, the medical cannabis laws set out clear purchase limits:
2.83 grams of flower
295 milligrams of THC in patch, lotion, cream, or ointment form
110 mg of THC in oil, tincture, capsule, or edible form
590 mg of THC in oil form for vaporizers and/or vape pens
Registered medical cannabis patients may also possess a 90-day supply. The limits are:
Flower: 9 oz of plant material
Patches, lotions, creams, or ointments: no more than 26.55 grams of THC
Oil, tincture, capsule, or edible form: no more than 9.9 grams of THC
Vaporizers and vape pens: no more than 53.1 grams of THC
Ohio Adult-use Cannabis Laws
Right now, adults of legal age in Ohio can possess and grow cannabis legally. Once dispensaries can begin selling to adult-use consumers, you can expect to find many of the same high-quality, Ohio-grown products and brands that are currently available, including:
Flower
Vape
Edibles
Concentrates
Topicals
Tinctures
Not only that, but once non-medical licenses are issued you can also expect to see seeds, live plants, and combustible products like pre-rolls become available, too. And while there won’t be any major differences in terms of the kinds of cannabis products available to patients and consumers, there are some important distinctions to be aware of.
Adult-use Cannabis Purchase and Possession Limits
Under current Ohio adult-use laws, adults 21 and over may possess up to 2.5 oz of flower or up to 15 grams of concentrate or extract. Note that the 2.5 oz amount is also the daily limit adults may purchase from licensed dispensaries once non-medical sales go into effect. Non-medical customers may purchase a ten daily units per day.
These same amounts may be given as a gift from one adult to another, but no more.
Can You Grow Cannabis in Ohio?
One of the most exciting features of Issue 2 was the provision for Ohioans to grow their own cannabis. Residents can cultivate up to 6 plants each for personal use, with a limit of 12 plants per household. An adult can also gift up to 6 plants to another person of legal age.
However, there are restrictions on where (and how) the plants are grown. According to state regulations, cannabis plants must be cultivated in an enclosed space away from public view, such as a secure closet or other room, greenhouse, or other enclosed space in or around the area in which you live.
If you’re a renter, your landlord has the legal right to restrict you from growing. Be sure you’re on the right side of the law by checking out this list of Ohio cannabis laws as they pertain to growing your own plants.
Where Can You Consume Cannabis in Ohio?
Public consumption is illegal. That means you can’t light up in bars, restaurants, or other public spaces, so stick with consuming your cannabis at a private residence. It is also illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis, which also applies to passengers in your car.
Access Legal Cannabis in Ohio: All Roads Lead to The Landing
Ohio was the 24th state to legalize cannabis for adult use, and here at The Landing we are getting ready to serve all Ohioans who want access to high-quality cannabis at affordable prices. We anticipate that day is coming as soon as this summer, and we’ll keep you updated on any developments on Ohio cannabis laws and the rollout of non-medical sales. Keep an eye on our Adult-Use FAQ for updates.
Though we’re thrilled that access to cannabis for all Ohioans is close, it’s not here just yet. If you’re interested in the many medical benefits of cannabis or want to maintain access to this important medicine, the way to do that is through the Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP). Need a little help getting started? Check out our easy explainer on How to Get an Ohio Medical Cannabis Card.
If you have any other questions about Ohio adult-use cannabis laws, the medical benefits of cannabis, the products we carry, or other related topics, We’re always here to help!