Recreational weed is not yet legal in Ohio. However, Republican lawmakers Jamie Callender and Ron Ferguson drew up a proposal that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program. The hunt for the 133,000 signatures required to send this proposal to the Ohio General Assembly also began in August 2021.
If Ohio passes the proposed bill drafted by Callender and Ferguson, medical dispensaries would have the right to sell recreational marijuana. They would offer it to people at least 21 years of age, who maybe could possess up to 5 ounces of it.
Adults might have permission to grow approximately six plants. This might include a maximum of two home-grown plants that have buds on them already blossoming into flowers.
Callender suggested a 10 percent tax on recreational marijuana sales. He also said half of this could remain in the state’s revenue account, but the other half Ohio would maybe give to law enforcement. Some talk of allocating money made from nonmedical cannabis sales to mental health and addiction treatments also occurred.
The state has already created a list of medical conditions that would qualify patients to receive marijuana as a form of treatment. Ohio considers AIDS or HIV, traumatic brain injuries, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal injuries or diseases, and epilepsy as some instances for which cannabis is allowed. More information on health issues patients might address with medical marijuana given to them by a doctor is found here.
Until Ohio decides to legalize recreational marijuana, some decriminalization will still take place. For instance, some people don’t have proof of a medical condition and the right to use medicinal cannabis. If caught with more than 100 grams of it on them, they probably will only receive a misdemeanor find and a fine of up to $150 instead of jail time for a first offense.
Producers and sellers must allow plant testing in a laboratory. The two primary instances involve inspections that probably will be required at time of harvest and before sent to the public for sale.
Dispensaries must have permits to offer cannabis products to the public. Moreover, doctors must have the proper certification to give marijuana recommendations. Enforcement of all Ohio weed laws will still take place by both city officers and county sheriffs.
Sometimes, highway patrol personnel will also make arrests, but with decriminalization or legalization, the chances of incarceration could end up being almost zero. At this time, it may be tough to predict what medical laws will still apply once recreational use is allowed.