Ohio voters passed Issue 2, but it’s not quite time to light up in celebration. Implementing the new law will be a process. Here are answers to some of the questions we’ve heard, and we welcome more.
Can anyone buy marijuana in a dispensary in Ohio?
No. Even when the law takes effect on Dec. 7, 30 days after the election, dispensaries will still need to have the proper license to sell marijuana recreationally. The Ohio Department of Commerce has nine months to create rules and regulations for the recreational marijuana program and distribute licenses.
Until then, dispensaries will continue to sell only to people who have a medical marijuana card. Once those licenses are issued, only adults over 21 will be allowed to buy recreational marijuana.
Where can I get marijuana seeds in Ohio?
The better question right now is “when.” The 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.
When the law is fully implemented, it will allow six plants at home per adult but no more than 12 plants total in a household with two or more adults over 21.
Can Issue 2 be vetoed or appealed?
Vetoed, no. The governor can only veto laws passed by the state legislature, but not ones passed by ballot measure like 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 this week 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 that 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
