What’s new with legal marijuana in Ohio
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Up in smoke: Ohio rolls back some weed and hemp laws and adds new restrictions
Buckeye voters made Ohio the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2024.
Voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in 2015. Then Ohioans backed Issue 2, with almost 56% of statewide voters approving the measure. (Medical marijuana has been legal in Ohio since 2016.) In 2025, lawmakers passed a bill that rolled back and changed some of what voters approved.
Signal Cleveland’s will continue to cover how Ohio implements the sale and use of marijuana–through the lens of it affects greater Clevelanders. We’ll offer explainers that break down the process and answer basic questions. We’ll look at the economic, health and political implications.
Finally, we welcome your feedback on our coverage and encourage you to reach out with story ideas.
MORE NEWS AND RESOURCES
Cleveland makes room for legal weed (podcast)
In this week’s show, Cleveland changes zoning to allow for weed sales, and Cleveland City Council weighs enforcing the ‘Art Modell law.’
Summer of weed: Recreational marijuana sales are coming to Ohio soon
A legislative committee signed off on rules for dispensaries to apply to sell to all adults.
Cleveland eyes more lax zoning laws for weed dispensaries
Cleveland officials wrestled with how to improve current zoning laws to make way for more weed dispensaries – and the money they could bring.
Can I smoke marijuana in Ohio during the eclipse?
Because we know you’ve been wondering.
Ohio Division of Cannabis Control will have James V. Canepa as its first superintendent
James V. Canepa has been appointed the first superintendent of the Division of Cannabis Control, the Ohio Department of Commerce announced Thursday.
Debriefer madness: More Q&A’s on recreational marijuana in Ohio
There are still a lot of questions about recreational marijuana. Here are answers to some recent ones, and we welcome more.
Cleveland to end marijuana testing for some city job applicants
City Hall announced it is easing its drug testing rules in light of the voter-passed Issue 2, which legalized recreational marijuana. But the rules will remain in place for many city jobs, including police, fire and EMS workers.
Ohio Senate passes revised marijuana bill on eve of legalization
In the hours leading up to Ohio’s new marijuana law going into effect, Gov. Mike DeWine and Republican senators pushed a bill revising the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana.
Recreational marijuana legal in Ohio today
As you read this, if you are 21 and older, you can legally have 2.5 ounces of marijuana in hand. For now.
Battle of bills: State legislators introduce competing plans to change new recreational marijuana law
Ohio Issue 2, the ballot initiative that legalized growing and using recreational marijuana in the state, is supposed to take effect on Dec. 7. But a flurry of activity in Columbus is raising questions about the near- and long-term future of the law.
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