Ohio
Ohio Legalizes Recreational Marijuana / Cannabis
On November 7, 2023, Ohio voters approved Issue 2, a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The measure passed with 56.79% of the vote, making Ohio the 24th state to legalize cannabis for adult use.
The Ohio Controlling Board approved the rules for commercial cannabis cultivation in Ohio on November 16, 2023. This means that licensed growers can begin planting cannabis plants immediately.
Retail sales of cannabis are expected to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.
Current Legislation
Key Provisions of Issue 2
Adults 21 and over can purchase, possess, and consume up to 10 grams (2.5 ounces) of cannabis flower.
Adults can cultivate up to four cannabis plants at home, with a maximum of six plants per household.
A 10% tax will be imposed on retail cannabis sales.
Revenue from the tax will be used to fund various programs, including:
Administrative costs of the regulatory system
Addiction treatment and prevention services
Local governments with dispensaries
Social equity and jobs programs
Medical marijuana: Medical marijuana has been legal in Ohio since 2018. Patients with qualifying conditions can obtain a medical marijuana card from the state and purchase marijuana products from licensed dispensaries.
Ohio's medical marijuana program is overseen by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Medical Marijuana Control Program. As of March 8, 2023, there are 103 dispensaries in Ohio that are licensed to sell medical marijuana. The Ohio Department of Commerce's Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP) has issued 111 licenses, but 8 of those licenses have been surrendered or revoked.
Qualifying conditions: Patients with qualifying conditions can obtain a medical marijuana card from the state. Qualifying conditions include cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS.
Possession: Patients with a medical marijuana card are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants per household.
Sale: Marijuana products can only be sold to patients with a medical marijuana card from licensed dispensaries.
Ohio's medical marijuana program has been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that the program is too restrictive, while others believe that it is too lenient. The state is currently considering changes to the law, but it is not clear when these changes will be made.
Overall, the cannabis legislation in Ohio is still evolving. The state is taking a cautious approach to the legalization of marijuana, and it is not clear when recreational marijuana will be legalized. However, the state is expected to see increased growth in the cannabis industry in the coming years.
Get help from a cannabis business consultant like Dispensary Accelerator. A cannabis business consultant can help you understand the application process and the requirements. They can also help you prepare your dispensary business plan and reduce the length of time it normally takes to develop an application.
Our team has helped teams successfully plan ahead of legislation and get set up for success upon the change in legislation within their respective States.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help.
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