Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Marijuana in Ohio

Medical marijuana became legal in Ohio in September 2016 and operational in September 2018. While the use of medical marijuana is a physical health issue between a patient and their physician, here are some frequently asked questions: (Note: for information on marijuana as a recreational substance, click here.)

How will marijuana be regulated in Ohio?
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy, the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Medical Board will oversee components of the program.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy will:

  • Adopt all rules for the dispensaries, including training requirements of employees of dispensaries
  • Specify the forms of using medical marijuana that are attractive to children
  • Specify by form and THC content, a maximum 90-day supply of medical marijuana that may be possessed
  • Establish the number of dispensary licenses that will be permitted
  • Adopt other rules for implementation

The Ohio Department of Commerce will:

  • Manage the requirements for the economic functions of the industry
  • Adopt rules regarding the licensure of cultivators within 240 days after the Governor signs the bill
  • Specify when testing of marijuana will be conducted, as well as minimum amounts and distribution of test results

The Medical Board will:

  • Create a licensure program for physicians prior to recommending marijuana to patients

Who sits on the Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee?
The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will consist of 14 members and will exist for five years before dissolving. The Committee is made up of:

  • Two pharmacists, with at least one supporting medical marijuana
  • Two physicians, with at least one supporting medical marijuana
  • Law enforcement representative
  • Employer representative
  • Labor representative
  • Mental Health treatment representative
  • Nurse
  • Caregiver representative
  • Patient representative
  • Agriculture representative
  • Alcohol and other drug addiction treatment representative
  • Academic researcher


Who appoints the Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee?
The Governor will appoint:

  • Two physician members
  • Two pharmacist members
  • Employer representative
  • Agriculture representative
  • Alcohol and other drug addiction treatment representative

The Senate President will appoint:

  • Law enforcement representative
  • Caregiver representative

The Senate Minority Leader will appoint:

  • Nurse

The Speaker of the House will appoint:

  • Patient representative
  • Mental Health Treatment representative

The House Minority Leader will appoint:

  • Labor representative

How can a person obtain marijuana?
A certified physician will be able to recommend marijuana for a variety of conditions. There is no allowance for home grows.

What conditions are qualifying for a medical marijuana card in Ohio?
AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury and ulcerative colitis

How much marijuana can a person have?
A person can have a 90-day supply, with a physician making the determination of how much a person can have.

What forms of marijuana can a person use?
Oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, patches and any other form approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Smoking is not permitted under this law, however, vaporization is permitted.

What are the THC levels that a person can obtain?
Marijuana will have a maximum 35% THC content for “plant matter” and extracts can have up to 70%. Even though people have not had an overdose on marijuana, high THC levels have been linked to earlier onset of psychosis and schizophrenia when a person begins using in their teens, specifically high potency marijuana.

Can a local ordinance prohibit dispensaries in a community?
Yes. Dispensaries cannot lie within 500 feet of a school, place of worship, public library, playground or public park.

Can a person be dismissed from their job for marijuana use?
Yes. An employer does not have to permit marijuana use of any employee, even if they are a medical marijuana patient.

Source: Drug Free Action Alliance; medicalmarijana.ohio.gov

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