CBD Oil in Ohio [Buyers Guide]

We have now reached a point where CBD oil is available in almost every location in the United States. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the growth of industrial hemp with a maximum of 0.3% THC. While the federal government hasn’t officially legalized any cannabinoids, there is an acknowledgment in most states that CBD is here to stay.

However, there are a handful of states where county and local laws cause confusion. Also, some governors and attorney generals intend to add to the complexity surrounding CBD laws. As such, residents of some states aren’t quite sure if they can legally buy cannabidiol.

That’s why we have created our series of guides to help keep you informed. Today, we look at whether CBD oil is legal in Ohio. We also outline the best places to purchase CBD products while taking a quick look at the state’s marijuana laws.

Is CBD Oil Legal in Ohio?

Yes. If you don’t qualify for an Ohio medical marijuana card, you can still use CBD oil. However, the product(s) in question must come from hemp and contain a maximum of 0.3% THC.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp throughout the nation. States had to submit a plan to the USDA or go along with federal guidelines. It was great news for hemp growers, but the legislation didn’t explicitly legalize CBD. Though few have done so, each state is free to create its own cannabidiol rules.

Ohio CBD Law

In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine signed SB 57 into law in July 2019. It legalized the possession, purchase, and sale of hemp and products derived from hemp. According to Ohio state law, SB 57 defined hemp and hemp products and emphasized that it is a distinct plant from marijuana. The bill put to rest any concerns about CBD being legal in Ohio.

SB 57 followed federal law by outlining that hemp in Ohio must have a maximum of 0.3% THC by dry weight. Otherwise, it is considered marijuana and is illegal. State law also mandates that all growers and processors of hemp are licensed, and their CBD products must be tested.

As long as a CBD product contains a maximum of 0.3% THC, it is legal for sale and use with no possession limits.

SB 57 helped alleviate the confusion caused by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s decision to ban the sale of CBD from any store that was NOT a medical marijuana dispensary in August 2018. Best of all, there are no possession limits for hemp-derived CBD products.

Senate Bill 57 also enabled the cultivation of hemp with a license. However, growers must pay for testing and will lose an entire crop if the hemp shows THC levels even slightly above 0.3%.

Farmers are unhappy at the seemingly arbitrary THC figure. The 0.3% level comes from a 1976 study that mapped different hemp strains. One of them remained below 0.3% THC, thus setting what was probably an unintended precedent.

Can You Buy CBD Oil in Ohio Online?

Yes. It is quick and easy to purchase CBD online in Ohio. Apart from the convenience, you can also expect to find a greater range of products for a lower price. It is also possible to check out third-party lab reports online and research to ensure a brand is reputable. Speaking of which, here are four highly-regarded CBD companies that ship to Ohio:

• Premium Jane
• Elixinol
• Green Roads
• Hemp Bombs

Although it is better to buy CBD online in general, you may want to purchase it over-the-counter if you live within easy driving distance. Here are five of the best stores selling CBD in Ohio:

What Are the Marijuana Laws in Ohio?

Ohio was one of the first states in the modern era to decriminalize simple cannabis possession, doing so in 1975. The law allows adults to possess up to 3.5 ounces before it becomes a serious offense. Otherwise, they receive a minor misdemeanor charge and pay a fine of up to $150.

In 2016, Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 523 into law. It legalized medical marijuana in Ohio. MMJ patients can have up to eight ounces of Tier I (mid-grade) cannabis as their maximum 90-day supply, and this limit falls to 5.3 ounces for higher-quality Tier II cannabis.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is trying to collect enough signatures to place an initiative to legalize recreational weed on the November 2023 ballot. It seems as if they are getting closer to completing this mission. However, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Ohio, and there are penalties for breaking this rule.

Cannabis Penalties in Ohio

The possession of between 100 and 200 grams of cannabis is a misdemeanor, and you could spend up to 30 days in prison if convicted. The possession of over 200 grams is a felony with the potential for a one-year jail term. You could spend up to five years in prison if caught with over 1,000 grams.

It is also illegal to provide cannabis ‘gifts.’ Two convictions for gifts under 20 grams is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two months in jail. Moreover, the sale of any amount of marijuana is a felony in Ohio. If convicted, you could serve up to 12 months in prison, and the length of imprisonment increases according to the amount you sell.

The possession of 200+ grams of cannabis in Ohio is a felony, with a potential prison sentence of 18 months.

Even MMJ patients are not permitted to cultivate cannabis in Ohio. There is a bill in place that aims to change matters, but at present, the state severely punishes individuals caught growing the plant.

The penalties for growing are the same as for possession in terms of volume. For instance, if you grow five plants and yield 80 ounces, you’re considered to possess 80 ounces of marijuana. That’s a felony by Ohio state law with a possible prison term of up to five years.

Final Thoughts on CBD Oil in Ohio

MMJ is legal in Ohio, and the program is becoming well-established. Recreational cannabis legalization may happen in a few years, if not sooner. Until then, residents can purchase CBD oil in Ohio. The cannabinoid is legal for sale, possession, and use as long as it comes from hemp and contains a maximum of 0.3% THC.

Unfortunately, the industrial hemp program in Ohio is having difficulties at present. Increasing competition, along with the high cost of growing hemp, not to mention the amount of labor involved, means many Ohio farmers are steering clear.