When Will Ohioans Be Able to Purchase Recreational Marijuana?

What does Issue 2 do? 

Ohioans 21 years and older can legally consume or possess cannabis on and after Dec. 7. It legalizes 2.5 ounces of adult-use cannabis and 15 grams of extract. 

People may also grow up to six plants for personal use, with a limit of 12 plants per household. 

When can I buy recreational marijuana in Ohio? 

Getting legal products will be the biggest issue in the coming months. There won’t be licensed dispensaries for months as the Department of Commerce creates rules and regulations around licensing. “There will not be any place for Ohioans to purchase legal marijuana in a licensed dispensary because the dispensaries won't be licensed for six to nine months depending on how quickly the Department of Commerce will move," said Jana Hrdinova, who is the administrative director of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. 

Ohio’s recreational marijuana law could also change before it goes into effect if the General Assembly works fast enough. Some lawmakers have signaled they want changes to the law or want to attempt to overturn it entirely.  “They do have the power to change anything about it. If there are provisions they don't like or feel won't be safe for the public, they can change anything they would like in the statute,” said Hrdinova.  

What does marijuana legalization mean for employers in Ohio?

Even though the law will take effect on Dec. 7, there aren’t protections for Ohio employees using marijuana.