We voted for it, dispensaries already exist… so can I walk into a recreational dispensary right now? Unfortunately it’s not so simple.

Ohio voted for the distribution, taxation and legal possession of recreational marijuana on November 7th, 2023 through the passing of Issue 2.

The date on when we can walk into a dispensary without a medical card is still unknown.

Cannabis became legal in Ohio on December 7th.

Wait… what? That’s right, the simple possession of marijuana in all forms, including: Edibles, flower, wax, lotions, capsules and various others is currently LEGAL. We will talk about those forms more in the future, but what you need to know of that possession of all cannabis products became legal in Cincinnati on December 7th. This simply means you cannot be fined or arrested for simple possession of marijuana on your person.

The initial Issue 2 outline

Much like all other government bureaucracy, adjusting our current laws is a very slow and politically charged process. Since the vote and passing of the Issue on November 7th, our local governments have NINE MONTHS to get things wrapped up. We have seen local governments holding meetings and talking about changing what we will get with issue 2.

The important thing to note is that marijuana/cannabis products will still be legal in your local city even if the votes do not pass. What local governments are voting on right now is the possibility to hold dispensaries in their local cities. A few of our neighborhoods are not too excited about the prospect (Looking at your Fairfield…)

When voted upon, Issue 2 would have allowed adults the age of 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 15 grams of extract. But like all other government bureaucracy (I say this a lot), what we voted on is not exactly what we will get.

The changes to issue 2 are stalled in the House.

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill reported “From the day that it was passed, the urgency was not a part of the House’s considerations,” Stephens said. “We can’t let the urgent get in the way of the important. It’s just such a big change in Ohio’s law, culture, all of these things, that we need to be deliberative about it and we want to be respectful.”

So… when can I go in?

Right now the future is unclear. What we know is that the Ohio government has 9 months to get the laws and regulations up and running, so at the very latest you can expect to be able to walk into a dispensary on August 7th, 2023.

Stay tuned for more updates!

We will be delivering daily updates on the word of legal marijuana in Cincinnati and Ohio so stay tuned to know exactly when you will be walking into a dispensary for the first time!