Beginning 9/17, telemedicine in Ohio is no longer legal. Unfortunately, this means our current OH services cannot run past that date. We apologize to all of our OH patients.
Ohio Medical Marijuana Law: How MMJ In OH Came To Be
Back in 2016, the state of Ohio finally decided to legalize medical marijuana. While the state had seen several attempts and failures at approving an MMJ program in Ohio, success finally rang in the Buckeye State just a few years ago. Though it took a little bit, the state’s medical marijuana program is finally in full swing, allowing qualifying patients from across Ohio to find relief through medicinal cannabis. Here’s everything you have to know about Ohio medical marijuana law, the program (OMMCP), and what the future holds.
Ohio and Recreational Cannabis: Is It a Possibility?
As it stands right now, recreational cannabis isn’t legal in Ohio. However, within the next few years, there’s a good chance that this will change.
The attitude towards cannabis has recently shifted in Ohio, with more people than ever supporting legalizing the plant recreationally. The state has seen several attempts at legalization, even getting the concept on the 2020 ballots. Though it didn’t pass in 2020, the idea isn’t going away any time soon. Several groups have formed in the state in favor of legalizing adult-use cannabis, and it may be on the ballot once again very soon.
Of course, as much as we’d like to predict Ohio’s decision on recreational cannabis, we can’t. But, it’s clear that the future is bright and promising, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we see the state legalize cannabis for adults in the next few years.
As in a lot of states, Ohio medical marijuana law is clearly establishing and leading the way for adult-use. And while recreational use is beneficial in its own ways, MMJ will always have its benefits. Often it protects patients and has lower taxes than adult-use cannabis. Plus the profits often benefit the state and citizens, like veterans.
DUI/OVI and What it Means for MMJ Cardholders
Plain and simple, you should not operate a vehicle after consuming medical cannabis. Having an MMJ card does not make you exempt from getting a DUI/OVI, as driving a car under the influence of any substance is not legal.
If you can prove that you consumed only the legal amount that your doctor has prescribed you and at a time that was appropriate, there is a chance you can work with law enforcement. However, the chances of this are not likely, so it’s advisable to avoid driving after medical consumption.
At-Home Cultivation: Is it Legal?
As it stands, at-home cultivation is not yet legal in Ohio for medical patients. However, there is a newly proposed amendment that calls for the legalization of recreational cannabi. This would allow adults to grow up to six plants in their home at once. If this passes, at-home cultivation may be a possibility.
However, currently, Ohio medical marijuana law prohibits you to grow cannabis yourself, even if you are a medical patient.
Ohio MMJ Laws and Probation
In Ohio, medical cannabis use for those on probation will depend heavily on the circumstance and where you live. Some counties across the state explicitly prohibit cannabis use of any kind during probation.
However, the counties without these stances may approve the use of medical cannabis depending on the situation. There have been cases where judges granted the use of cannabis for those with existing MMJ cards and qualifying medical conditions.
If cannabis was an exact issue for the person on probation, medical consumption will likely not be approved. It simply depends.
What Federal Law Has to Say
No matter what Ohio has to say about medicinal (or recreational) cannabis, it’s essential to keep in mind that cannabis is still illegal on the federal level. No matter what a state decides is legal or not, federal law will always supersede state law.
Currently, marijuana in any form is federally illegal, with the country only recently legalizing the cultivation of hemp, a derivative of the cannabis plant. However, the US government likely did this because of the hemp plant’s lack of psychoactive value. The government decided that any hemp plant grown with more than 0.3% THC is technically considered marijuana and is illegal.
All in all, the legalization of cannabis on the federal level isn’t something you should hold your breath for quite yet.
Check out our article on Ohio marijuana and gun laws.
Possession Limits and Approved Cannabis Forms
In Ohio, you have to be careful about how much medical cannabis you’re buying and be aware that you don’t have access to the same forms of cannabis as other legalized states do.
Medical marijuana patients can possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis at once. This supply breaks down to:
- Eight ounces of Tier 1 cannabis
- Five and three-tenths ounces of Tier 2 cannabis
- Twenty-six and fifty-five-hundredths grams of THC content in transdermal patches and other topicals
- Nine and nine-tenths grams of THC content in oils, tinctures, capsules, or edibles
- Fifty-three and one-tenths grams of THC content in vaporizable cannabis
If these numbers confuse you in the slightest, don’t worry: those working at the medical dispensaries will be more than willing to help you get a better understanding of how much cannabis that actually is.
As we mentioned, not all forms of cannabis are allowed in Ohio. The state only allows the use/consumption of cannabis creams, edibles, flower, lotions, oil, patches, and tinctures.
For more details about becoming a qualified patient and getting your Ohio medical card, check out our Ohio FAQs.
How Elevate Will Get You on Your Way with an Ohio MMJ Card
Let’s be honest: the process of getting your MMJ card in Ohio (or any state for that matter) is a bit intimidating, especially when you don’t know where to start. But, hey, that’s why we’re here.
Elevate Holistics works specifically with potential MMJ patients to help you find the right doctor and experience the perfect telehealth visit for you. We can match you with the ideal, qualified cannabis doctor and get you right on your way to obtaining your own Ohio medical marijuana card.
