CLEVELAND — This week, the use of recreational marijuana becomes legal in Ohio, making it the 24th state in the U.S. to do so. It comes just one month after voters passed Issue 2 in the November election.
But before the new law officially takes effect on Thursday, Dec. 7, here are some things you need to know...
When can I buy marijuana in Ohio for recreational use?
The law goes into effect on Thursday, meaning people 21 and older will legally be able to buy it; however, you won't actually be able to purchase any this week because the Division of Cannabis Control is still working to create a licensing process for sellers. Then, the licenses won't likely be issued until next fall (more on that below).
What can you start doing on Thursday?
The passage of Issue 2 will allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow up to six plants at home, or up to 12 plants with two adults in the home. A 10% tax will be imposed on purchases, with proceeds going to administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs.
Why will it take so long for licenses?
Because Issue 2 was an initiated statute, it changes the Ohio Revised Code, giving lawmakers the authority to make tweaks to the law.
Some are trying to make changes, such as preventing advertising from targeting kids. And, they're working on licenses, such as who a license would go to, including looking at racial, gender, ethnic and economic differences under the social equity program.
What other changes could be made to the law?
Other possible changes would allow certain municipalities to ban marijuana dispensaries and the home growing of cannabis plants -- both of which were protected by Issue 2. There is also talk of adjusting the tax distribution by creating an additional revenue category to fund law enforcement training for cannabis.
The City of Lakewood has implemeted a temporary moratorium on issuing permits related to "business seeking to operate a recreational cannabis business in Lakewood until at least July 31, 2024."
"In no way shape or form is it being done to go against the will of the people who voted to make this happen," says Lakewood Council President John Litten. "It's more so that we can take time as a city ... to understand what the state's requirements are going to be, what their rules for municipalities are going to be, [and] how tax stucture is going to work."
Litten says the moratorium is no different then the one the city had in place when medicinal marijuana was legalized in the state in 2016.
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