The Ohio bill to place new restrictions on hemp-derived THC products in the state would also outlaw possession of cannabis products produced in other states, according to an analysis from the Legislative Service Commission.
“For example, an adult-use consumer may legally possess and use marijuana acquired from an out-of-state dispensary under current law, whereas under the bill, out-of-state marijuana is contraband.” — Legislative Service Commission analysis of S.B. 56
The analysis says that the legislation, which awaits Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) signature, would make it a crime to possess cannabis that was acquired outside of the state’s Marijuana Control Law and only allow individuals to possess:
- Medical marijuana cultivated, processed, dispensed, and tested for a medical purpose in accordance with the Marijuana Control Law;
- Adult-use marijuana cultivated, processed, dispensed, and tested in accordance with the Marijuana Control Law; and
- Homegrown marijuana cultivated, grown, and processed at the adult-use consumer’s primary residence in accordance with the Marijuana Control Law.
Ohio voters in 2023 approved an adult-use legalization law that broadly allows possession of cannabis by adults 21-and-older.
The legislation includes other changes to the state’s adult-use law, including capping THC in flower at 35% and capping THC in concentrates at 70%. The bill also includes expungement provisions for cannabis offenses legal under the adult use law and a ban on public cannabis consumption.
