Ohio Cannabis Laws

Medical marijuana is legal in Ohio. CBD and minor cannabinoids manufactured from hemp-derived CBD are also legal in the state, per federal law. On November 7, 2023 Ohio voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for adult use.

Several towns and cities have also decriminalized small amounts of cannabis locally. Additionally, home growing is unlawful in the state, even for medical card holders.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Ohio

Ohio established its medical marijuana program in 2016 with the passage of HB 523. The first licensed dispensaries opened and began serving patients in 2019. Since recreational, adult-use cannabis remains illegal in the state, there are several benefits to obtaining your card, including purchasing cannabis products legally and employee protections.

Cultivation is illegal unless you have a cultivation license, even for medical cardholders in Ohio. It’s required that medical cannabis patients purchase their medicine from a licensed dispensary. Registered patients pay a 5.75% sales tax plus any local taxes on medical cannabis at the dispensary.

Patients are allowed a 90-day supply under state law. Medical marijuana products that are authorized and available in dispensaries include oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, lotions, creams, and patches. Smoking or combustion of medical cannabis is illegal, though state law does allow for vaporization (vaping).

The unauthorized use, possession, sale, or distribution of cannabis in Ohio can incur penalties, including fines and jail time. Imprisonment ranges from 30 days to eight years, and fines vary from $150 to $15,000, depending on the offense.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Ohio

It’s essential to know the regulations and laws that govern the medical cannabis program you are applying to as a patient. Every state’s medical marijuana program has different features and rules that can impact patients’ access.

Qualifying Conditions

To participate in Ohio’s medical cannabis program, state law requires a physician with a certificate to recommend (CTR) to confirm that a patient has one of the following qualifying conditions:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chronic, Severe or Intractable Pain*
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epilepsy (or another seizure disorder)
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Spasticity
• Spinal Cord Disease or Injury
• Terminal Illness
• Tourette Syndrome (TS)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Ulcerative Colitis

*Arthritis, Chronic Migraines, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome are covered under Chronic Pain.

Telemedicine is Allowed

Telemedicine for medical marijuana certification is allowed in Ohio. Contact Leafwell to get your application started, and our team of professionals will help connect you with a state-licensed physician. The application process can be time-consuming and confusing, but telemedicine can make it easy, and you can get certified right from home.

Ohio Does Not Have Reciprocity Laws

Ohio does not recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. Non-resident cardholders are not able to access dispensaries in Ohio.

But, if you are an Ohio medical cardholder and are traveling outside of the state, these states and territories do have reciprocity laws:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

States that have recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:

• Alaska
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota (currently only tribal dispensaries)
• Missouri
• Montana
• New York
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Washington

Can You Grow Cannabis in Ohio?

Cultivation is legal in Ohio for adults 21 and older. Up to six plants may be grown per individual for personal use. If two or more adults live in the same residence, a maximum of 12 plants is allowed.

The Bottom Line

Medical and recreational cannabis are legal in Ohio. However, recreational cannabis dispensaries will not be fully operational and open for business until 2024.