Ohio Department of Commerce Issues FAQ Sheet Following Marijuana Use Approval

Article Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Columbus) –The Department of Commerce has published a Frequently Asked Questions website resource to address both consumer and licensee questions about non-medical cannabis. 

Based on unofficial election results, a majority of Ohio voters have approved Issue 2 to legalize the possession and use of marijuana by individuals aged 21 and over, the sale of marijuana by state-licensed dispensaries to those individuals, and to create the Division of Cannabis Control within the Ohio Department of Commerce. 

The ballot measure approved by voters is an initiated statute that may be amended by the state legislature. 

Non-medical cannabis will not be immediately available to purchase in dispensaries and the general public at this moment is not permitted in dispensaries unless the individual is a registered patient or caregiver in the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP). There are currently no entities licensed to sell non-medical cannabis in the state of Ohio. 

The new division inside Commerce has nine months to complete the rulemaking and licensing processes for non-medical cannabis. Sales of non-medical cannabis may not begin until licenses are issued and facilities are certified. The MMCP will continue to be administered by the Division of Cannabis Control and MMCP patients and caregivers are encouraged to keep their patient or caregiver card active.

The state legislature plays a separate but important role in this process. Any amendments to the statute could impact the timeline for the rulemaking and licensing process.

Individuals are not allowed to purchase marijuana in other states and bring it into Ohio. Federal law prohibits traveling across state lines with marijuana.

Commerce built the patient-focused Medical Marijuana Control Program with safety at its core. The agency awaits direction from the General Assembly on any changes they plan to make to the statute. The Department will take into consideration the same medical safety standards currently in place in the rulemaking process for non-medical consumers.

The Department currently ensures that the medical marijuana industry is compliant with all state and local laws, ensuring businesses are on the right track and patients are protected. 

The MMCP continues to solicit feedback from internal and external stakeholders to understand the impact of current rules and how the rules can be amended to ensure product safety and licensee compliance. Pursuant to the biennial budget approved in July, all medical marijuana responsibilities, including the regulation of dispensaries and oversight of the Patient & Caregiver Registry currently managed by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, will be consolidated within the Department of Commerce on January 1, 2024.

The Department will provide updates on the non-medical program as they become available at www.com.ohio.gov/nonmedicalcannabis.