Last updated : November 11, 2024
The short answer is no, CBD oil is not yet legal in Ohio, according to state regulators. Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from the hemp plant or marijuana plant, as does THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). However, CBD does not contain the psychoactive properties that THC does and, therefore, does not create a “high” feeling as a THC/marijuana product may.
CBD is illegal in Ohio unless it is produced by cultivators and sold through dispensaries and licensed by the state. House Bill 523, which created the state’s Medical Marijuana Control Program, includes CBD under the same umbrella as medical marijuana. Although medical marijuana is, technically, legal in the state of Ohio (it was signed into law by Governor John Kasich in June of 2016), it is currently not available in the state of Ohio and, therefore, is still illegal.
All marijuana products, including CBD oil, can only be dispensed in a licensed Medical Marijuana Control Program dispensary. Those marijuana products will have to comply with the rules and regulations of the program. All products must have a known source, as well as known quantities of active ingredients. Testing procedures will be conducted by testing laboratories licensed by the Ohio Department of Commerce. The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy announced the award of 56 provisional medical marijuana dispensary licensees in June of 2018. All provisional licensees will have six months to demonstrate compliance with the dispensary operational requirements to obtain a certificate of operation.
Until dispensaries are operational, no one may possess or sell CBD oil or other marijuana-related products. Violation of Ohio Revised Code or Ohio Administrative Code can subject a licensee (person or entity) to administrative or criminal action.
CBD can be found in all types of products from edibles to lotions to creams and can be purchased online, in “head” shops, and CBD boutiques. Many believe that CBD has therapeutic properties such as pain and stiffness relief or the ability to decrease anxiety. This has led to products’ popularity, as a natural alternative to prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers. Currently, there is a lack of long-term safety data regarding CBD use, as it has not been studied to any great extent. Consumers may want to consider this, along with the current legal status, when considering its use.
