All You Need to Know About the Industry

1. Visit a certified physician who can confirm that you have one of the medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana and have the physician create your profile in the Patient & Caregiver Registry.
2. Confirm and complete your registration for the program through the Patient & Caregiver Registry.
3. Purchase medical marijuana from an Ohio dispensary with a certificate of operation from the Board of Pharmacy.

• Certified physicians may recommend medical marijuana only for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition. Under Ohio law, qualifying medical conditions include all of the following: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, Spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.
• In February 2021, the State Medical Board of Ohio determined the following conditions are considered covered by an existing qualifying condition: arthritis chronic migraines and complex region pain syndrome. These conditions were determined to be covered by pain that is either chronic or intractable.

• The Medical Board maintains a list of all Ohio licensed physicians who are certified to recommend medical marijuana. The list can be found by clicking here.

• Cannabis will be available from retail dispensaries licensed by the Department of Commerce.
• Dispensary Map

On November 7, 2023 Ohio voters passed Issue 2, making adult use marijuana legal. The new law goes effective on December 7, 2023 but the Division of Cannabis Control will have nine months thereafter to write rules regulating the new program.

Adult use sales are expected to begin in September 2024, at the earliest.

Adult use sales won’t begin until September 2024. Until that time the only way to legally purchase marijuana in Ohio is with an active recommendation from a physician with a certificate to recommend and a current registration with the Medical Marijuana Control program.

Find out how to get your medical card here! (button with link: Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program)

Medical patients will benefit from a significantly lower tax rate on purchases even after adult-use sales begin.

Medical Marijuana Patient: 5.75% state sales tax + local sales tax
Adult Use Customer: 5.75% + local sales tax + a 10% adult use marijuna tax

Ohio’s existing medical marijuana dispensaries will be the first to sell adult use cannabis, pending local government approval. New adult use dispensaries will also are expected to open across the state.

Dispensary Map

At least 21 years old.

Yes! Ohio’s adult use dispensaries will sell pre-rolls and plant material for smoking.

No. Smoking marijuana is prohibited on public property. If you lease your home, check your lease agreement to make sure smoking marijuana is not prohibited.

Yes. Adults are permitted 6 marijuana plants at their primary residence. Plants must be kept in a secure location that prevents access for individuals under 21 years of age. The location of plants cannot be visible from public spaces (e.g., from a public street).

If you rent your property, check your lease before growing marijuana. Landlords are permitted to prohibit growing cannabis if it is included in the lease agreement.

In addition to state and local sales tax, Ohio will charge a 10% tax on adult use cannabis purchases.

The Division of Cannabis Control is responsible for issuing new licenses under Ohio’s adult use marijuana program.

Social equity applicants enrolled in the Social Equity and Jobs program will be given preference when these new licenses are awarded. Check with the Division (Medical Marijuana Control Program (ohio.gov)) for more information regarding timing and the process.

Yes. Employers still have the right to drug test and terminate employment for a positive cannabis result based on their individual business policies. Be sure to check your company’s policies before purchasing adult use cannabis.