Is Weed Legal In Ohio? Marijuana remains illegal in Ohio except under certain circumstances. Possessing or growing marijuana in Ohio is considered a misdemeanor, which could severely impact your life including being denied employment and renting an apartment. A conviction could prevent you from finding work and renting housing.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is collecting signatures for a ballot initiative on legalization in November. If successful, taxes would be collected on recreational marijuana use by the state.
Medical Marijuana
Ohio law recognizes medical cannabis for those with qualifying conditions, physician’s recommendations and registry cards from state-licensed dispensaries. Patients can legally possess up to 90-day supply.
State law permits and regulates 56 dispensaries located throughout Virginia, where patients and caregivers must present both their registry card and form of government photo identification to purchase cannabis from one. There are stringent cultivation and manufacturing standards in place in Virginia as well as laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on registry status as well as using medical marijuana evidence in child custody disputes.
Ohio law does not consider possession of small quantities of weed to be criminal and punishes such possession with a $150 fine, although any amount greater than 100 grams remains illegal and driving under the influence can result in OVI (drugged driving), with possible mandatory minimum jail sentences of 3-6 months and license suspension lasting three years for those convicted of OVI (drugged driving).
Recreational Marijuana
State law only permits registered patients who meet qualifying conditions to purchase, possess and grow limited quantities of marijuana from licensed dispensaries; no more than 90-day supplies should remain in their possession at any time.
Non-registered individuals possessing up to 100 grams of marijuana are subject to a minor misdemeanor offense and could face a $150 fine, as it remains illegal to consume it publicly, on the grounds of government buildings, or while driving.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has continued collecting signatures with hopes of placing recreational marijuana before voters in November. They need over 124,000 valid signatures before getting on the ballot; once on it, Ohio would tax cannabis sales and distribute revenue generated through them to K-12 education, communities hosting dispensaries, anti-chemical dependency initiatives, illicit drug trafficking efforts and Ohio’s general fund.
Legality
Is Weed Legal In Ohio? Ohio law decriminalizes possession of small quantities of marijuana; however, recreational use and cultivation remain illegal. A conviction could result in a $150 fine as well as becoming part of your permanent record, potentially hindering future employment or educational opportunities.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is currently collecting signatures for an initiative that would legalize cannabis for adults aged 21 or over and impose a 10% sales tax, the proceeds from which would go toward marijuana administration costs, addiction treatment programs and creating jobs in cannabis social equity and jobs programs.
The proposal would allow individuals and households to grow six plants each, with up to 12 allowed per household. Furthermore, sale and possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of concentrate would legal; and smoking within 500 feet of any public or private school would ban.
Possession
Ohio law considers possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana to be a minor misdemeanor, not punishable with jail time or more serious sanctions such as fines or jail time. Any offense above this amount, though, could incur up to one year imprisonment and up to a $2,500 fine; additionally a conviction may lead to denial of government aid and influence military status decisions.
If your medical condition can treat by cannabis, and registered physicians recommended it to you, then you may qualify for a medicinal marijuana card from the State Board of Pharmacy. You and any caregivers must register with them so that your information stays private on file – otherwise no grow or possess recreational marijuana without prior permission.