Ohio voters passed Issue 2, but lighting up in celebration will have to wait. Implementing the new law will be a process. We continue to answer some of the questions we’ve heard about recreational marijuana, and we welcome more.
Can I legally smoke weed in Ohio now?
Not quite. The new law doesn’t take effect until Dec. 7. As of that date, it will be legal to possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana in plant form or up to 15 grams in extract form.
And remember, this pertains to private property. Even after Dec. 7, it will still be illegal to smoke in public places.
Will I be able to grow weed in my yard?
No. As of Dec. 7, it will be legal to cultivate up to six plants per adult (or a maximum of 12 per household) in a locked, enclosed area that’s not accessible to children or visible to the public.
Can anyone buy marijuana in a dispensary in Ohio?
No. The Ohio Department of Commerce has nine months to create the rules and regulations for the sale of recreational marijuana and to distribute licenses. Until then, dispensaries will sell only to people who have a medical marijuana card.
Once recreational sales begin, they’ll be limited to adults over 21.
Where can I get marijuana seeds in Ohio?
The better question right now is “when.” The state’s Division of Cannabis Control will decide how and where people can buy seeds to grow marijuana at home, including whether Ohioans will be allowed to order seeds online and have them delivered to their homes.
Kevin Greene, vice president of the Cleveland School of Cannabis, advises people to stay updated on any changes state legislators may make to the new law, especially before it goes into effect on Dec. 7.
“The last thing that we want is individuals to start to do things without knowing the rules and regulations,” Greene added.
Can Issue 2 be vetoed or repealed?
Vetoed, no. The governor can only veto laws passed by the state legislature, not those passed by ballot measure such as Issue 2. But the legislature can amend the statute at any time, and Republican leaders quickly signaled that they might.
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman said in a statement that legislators “may consider amending the statute to clarify the questionable language regarding limits for THC and tax rates as well as other parts of the statute.”
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens suggested allocating the tax revenue from cannabis sales to “county jail construction and funding law enforcement.”
The law voters passed divides the revenue this way: 36% to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund; 36% to the host community cannabis facilities fund; 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund; and 3% to the Division of Cannabis Control and Tax Commissioner Fund.
If you have a question about recreational marijuana in Ohio, email us:
news@signalcleveland.org
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