Exploring the Legal Status of Marijuana in Ohio. Is it legal in 2023?

Ohio failed to legalize cannabis in 2015, but something happened in 2016 that caused the Ohio governor to legalize cannabis.

This is a detailed article that talks about weed laws in Ohio. You will understand if weed is legal in Ohio and if yes, what are the rules you must follow for weed in Ohio?

In 2015, a ballot was conducted to legalize weed for recreational purposes. This was known as Issue 3, which was supported by many investors, including some famous names like Nick Lachey, Oscar Robertson, and many others. The support for Issue 3 was fragile; hence, it was defeated on the ballot.

This did not end here, as in 2016, the governor of Ohio, John Kasich, signed a bill to legalize Marijuana in Ohio at least for medical use. That is when Marijuana for medical purposes became legal in Ohio.

There are laws to protect the consumption of weed, and before you purchase or take any decision in this matter, it is very important to get a complete guide on the Laws of weed in Ohio. Let’s look at some important Ohio weed laws.

You Must Know These Laws Regarding Marijuana in Ohio.

You must know that under federal law, it is still illegal. Marijuana federal legalization is still not under practice. So the question arises, how can you consume marijuana while you are in Ohio? So Ohio has allowed the use of Marijuana for medical purposes, and for recreational purposes, it is still illegal.

If you need marijuana for medical purposes, there are many laws you need to possess medical marijuana. If you need medical marijuana, you have to register for the Ohio Medical Marijuana registry. You also have to be qualifying for conditions.

Ohio has decriminalized the possession of marijuana in small amounts. But the fact is it is still considered illegal in Ohio.

Where is it safe to consume weed in Ohio?

Consuming weed in public is not at all legal, and the person doing it can face legal troubles.

One can possess weed in private but not in public. Private property can include the patient’s home or someone else’s private property.
If it is someone else’s private property, then the person needs permission from the owner before ingesting anything.

Smoking weed is illegal, so consuming weed in other forms is allowed. Consuming it as a flower, ointment, or vaporizer is legal.

Possessing marijuana on public property like school and college grounds is illegal. This can be an exception depending on the rules of that public property in a specific area. This applies to medical marijuana too.

Possessing Marijuana in Public

As we know that possessing marijuana in public is a federal offense, but we cannot ignore the number of people who need to be in public after the consumption of medical marijuana.

For them, there is a way to do so discreetly. One can use tinctures, as they can be administered under the tongue, which can still give maximum benefit.

Edibles are also another option, as it is concealable and its effect last longer.

If you are stepping out of your home with marijuana, then make sure you always have your marijuana marijuana card. Do not carry marijuana over the limit.

Possession

Know these possession rules in Ohio to avoid hefty fees. First of all, recreational marijuana is not legal in Ohio

1. Minor Misdemeanors – A person possessing marijuana up to 100 grams is under the minor misdemeanors and can be fined up to $150. This can also not be a part of your criminal record.

2. Standard Misdemeanors – If someone is caught with more than 100 grams of marijuana, that becomes a felony. Avoid getting into this at any cost.

Possess only in private, like your home or your friends and relative’s home, with the landlord’s permission. Possessing anywhere while driving or outside is subject to offense.

To make sure you get weed for medical purposes there is a proper process to do so. Let’s explore the details of the Medical Marijuana process.

Medical Marijuana Process.

Ohio allows patients to possess marijuana only if registered with the state. This also has specific requirements.

1. You must be 18 years old or older
2. In the case of a minor, a parent or caregiver has to register
3. A patient must have the conditions that are listed for medical marijuana
4. You must be a legal resident of Ohio.

Before you start your Medical registration, you will need to see if your condition is qualified for Medical Marijuana or not.

List of Medical Conditions for Medical Marijuana

• Glaucoma
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Pain that is either of the following nature:
  i) Chronic and severe; or
  ii) Intractable
• Parkinson’s disease
• Positive status for HIV
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sickle cell anemia
• Spasticity
• Spinal cord disease or injury
• Terminal illness
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Arthritis
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chronic migraines
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Steps to Register to get a Medical Marijuana card in Ohio.

All the applications are filled online.
1. Registered Ohio physician for certificate
Visit a physician who is registered for the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. The doctor will check if you have the medical conditions that come under the qualifying medical conditions to consume marijuana. The doctor will also register you or your caregiver in the register.

2. Password and Activation
Once the doctor registers you, you will get a link in your email to activate a new password. Here you can enter your new password and check the details mentioned carefully as those details will be on your ID and will be considered on every dispensary visit.
You will also need to pay the registration fee which is $50.

3. Get a Certificate
Application once filled and fees paid, you will get a certificate on your screen from the Board of Pharmacy which you will need to print. This is what you will use on your dispensary visits.

The entire process can be done by the patient but if the patient is minor then a caregiver can take care of the process.

Caregiver In Ohio

A caregiver in Ohio is a parent, nurse, or spouse. A caregiver can buy and possess the marijuana on the behalf of the patient. In Ohio, a patient can have three caregivers. In the same way, a caregiver can only assist three patients at a time.

To be a caregiver, one needs to fulfill these conditions

1. Needs to be 21 years or older, unless they are the parent to the patient
2. Caregiver must have a US driving card, DMV card, US passport, and US passport card.

To register as a caregiver, one needs to register with the documents and pay the fee of $25.

• Fill out the Caregiver Registration Application form online and sign it.
• Attach a clear photocopy of your ID card that states your name, address, and date of birth
• Submit the form online.

This allows the caregiver to get the MMJ card and possess the marijuana on the behalf of the patient.

Does Ohio accept an out-of-state card?

Many states practice reciprocity laws that allow state card users to get marijuana from a different state with the help of their patient card.

Unfortunately, Ohio does not allow out-of-state medical marijuana cards to purchase marijuana from Ohio. This means if you have a medical marijuana card from another state than Ohio, then you will need to register in Ohio for the card to make a purchase from a licensed dispensary.

Bottom Line!

If you are visiting any state in the US and are in need of Medical Marijuana, then make sure to check the reciprocity rules of the state. You may do it before visiting, to avoid falling out of medication. It is important to carry your card when you visit a dispensary. To avoid getting in trouble, always consume marijuana within the limit as per the state rules.