It's the first 420 day with legal Weed in Ohio
Ohio's Cannabis Legalization: What to Expect on the First 4/20 After Issue 2.
It's the first 4/20 with legal marijuana in Ohio, following the passage of Issue 2 in November. So weed enthusiasts should be able to fire up with no consequences, right?
Well, not quite.
To implement the statute, the Division of Cannabis Control is setting rules that may not go into effect until summer or fall. Also, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and state legislators have been debating modifications to the law but have not reached a resolution.
Here's what to know.
What is 420 and how did April 20 become a significant holiday for weed lovers?
April 20, or 4/20, is a holiday celebrated by many weed smokers both in the United States and around the globe.
Though there is no officially agreed-upon story for the holiday's origins, plenty of popular theories exist — perhaps the most famous tying the holiday's date to a cohort of teenagers in California.
Popular lore ties the birth of "4/20" to a group of high schoolers attending Northern California's San Rafael High School in the early 1970s. The cohort, which dubbed itself the "Waldos," used to gather at 4:20 p.m. to toke up.
That timestamp soon became shorthand for the act of smoking weed, and eventually spread beyond the Golden State's borders.
Marijuana dispensaries in the Akron, Columbus and Cincinnati areas
If you can legally purchase marijuana through a dispensary, here's some to check out in the Akron-Canton, Columbus and Cincinnati areas:
Akron-Canton
- Bliss Ohio, 331. E Main St., Kent
- Bloom Medicinals, 737 E. North St., Akron
- The Botanist, 3840 Greentree Ave. SW, Canton
- The Botanist, 46 S. Summit St., Akron
- The Citizen by Klutch, 401 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton
- Culture Cannabis Club, 1568 E. Archwood Ave., Akron
- Curaleaf, 1220 Buchholzer Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls
- FRX Health, 1682 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls
- Ohio Cannabis Company, 4016 Greentree Ave. SW, Canton
- Supergood, 554 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna
- Zen Leaf Canton, 3224 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton
Columbus
- Amplify, 5304 N. Hamilton Road
- Bloom Medicinals, 1361 Georgesville Road
- The Botanist, 115 Vine St.
- Elevated Growth, 7520 High Cross Blvd.
- Herbal Wellness Center Columbus, 2950 E. Main St.
- The Landing Dispensary, 724 W. Gay St.
- Main Street Medical Cannabis, 3111 E. Main St.
- Mavuno of Columbus, 2950 N. High St.
- Nar Reserve, 350 E. Long St.
- Parkland Ventures, 2765 Gender Road
- Terrasana, 656 Grandview Ave.
- Trulieve Medical Marijuana, 8295 Sancus Blvd.
- Verdant Creations Columbus, 1243 N. Cassady Ave.
Cincinnati
- Ascend Dispensary, 830 Reedy St., Cincinnati
- Beyond / Hello, 693 Old State Route 74, Cincinnati
- The Forest Cincinnati, 4412 Mount Carmel Tobasco Road, Cincinnati
- The Landing Dispensary, 4029 Smith Road, Cincinnati
- Nectar Medical Cannabis, 3405 Werk Road, Cincinnati
- Queen City Cannabis Medical Dispensary, 10140 Suspension Bridge Road, Harrison
- Queen City Cannabis Medical Dispensary, 3764 Montgomery Road, Norwood
- Story of Cincinnati, 3950 Edwards Road, Cincinnati
- Story of Cincinnati II, 3944 Edwards Road, Cincinnati
- Sunnyside, 5149 Kennedy Ave., Cincinnati
- Verilife Cincinnati, 5431 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati
- Zen Leaf Cincinnati, 8420 Vine St., Cincinnati
Ohio has dozens of marijuana dispensaries throughout the state, but buying a joint to celebrate on 4/20 isn't as easy as just strolling into the store.
Can I buy marijuana in Ohio on 420 day now?
Not quite.
Industry and state officials say medical marijuana stores could open their doors for adult-use customers this summer − potentially as early as June. Ohioans voted in November to allow adults 21 and older to buy, possess and grow marijuana, but sales can't begin until state regulators hash out the program's rules.
Under the new law, the Division of Cannabis Control has until June 7 to make license applications available and must award those licenses by September. While marijuana operators initially predicted a fall launch, they now think existing stores could be up and running soon after applications are released.
Can I smoke marijuana in public in Ohio?
No. Smoking marijuana falls under the state's smoking ban.
That law prohibits people from smoking plant material in enclosed areas open to the public, with exceptions for outdoor patios, smoke shops and hotel rooms designated for smoking.
"The smoking ban in public places really is controlling," Jim Canepa, superintendent of the Division of Cannabis Control, told Cincinnati Edition recently. "Whether it's cannabis that is being smoked or cigarettes that are being smoked or cigars being smoked, there are places you can and cannot do that."
How much marijuana can I have in Ohio?
Ohioans 21 and older are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of extracts or edibles.
Can I drive while high in Ohio?
No. The law bars people from driving a car, bike, boat or airplane while under the influence of marijuana. Passengers are prohibited from smoking or vaping in the vehicle. The state's current OVI penalties apply to anyone who violates those rules.
Will Ohio Legislature change marijuana law?
During his State of the State, Gov. Mike DeWine again asked lawmakers to clarify rules for public marijuana use.
DeWine and the Ohio Senate pushed for changes to the law in December and wanted to quickly kickstart recreational sales at medical dispensaries. But negotiations stalled after the House declined to take action.
House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, has said that the agency rules will handle most of what DeWine wants to be addressed.
Separately, Democratic leaders said they've started discussing legislation to expunge low-level marijuana convictions − something that wasn't included in the voter-approved law.
