Ohio, the state that gave us the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame and Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili, is a place where you can completely (and legally) enjoy the benefits of hemp-derived CBD.
You’ll find CBD in many different retailers across Ohio, like head shops, health food markets and sometimes even pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.
There are no legal age or possession limits to purchase CBD products with less than 0.3% THC. The OH CBD laws apply to all CBD products, including food, cosmetics and oils.
CBD Laws in Ohio: What You Need to Know
CBD products have been legal and available for purchase throughout Ohio ever since the passage of a bill in 2019.
Following the federal Farm Act of 2018, which decriminalized CBD products throughout the entire country, the Ohio legislature passed Senate Bill 57, which decriminalized hemp in the state and created licensing avenues for its cultivation.
The Ohio Senate defines hemp as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than three-tenths percent on a dry weight basis.”
Under the new legislation, hemp and all hemp-derived products went from being considered a controlled substance to an agricultural product. The bill addressed CBD issues like:
- Marketing – The bill established an official hemp marketing program in Ohio.
- Licensing – Sec. 928.03. of the bill put the Ohio Department of Agriculture in charge of the licensing and regulation of cultivating and processing hemp.
- Possession – Anybody may “possess, buy, or sell hemp or a hemp product” without a license. All products for sale must have passed inspection by the Department of Agriculture.
- Research – Universities in Ohio are able to study the effects and potential benefits of CBD.
Is CBD Legal in Ohio?
Ohio’s relationship with CBD is still fairly new. The state only decriminalized hemp and hemp-derived products in 2019, several months after the federal government passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which decriminalized hemp across the country.
In the three years that Ohio has had legal CBD, the Department of Agriculture has laid out routes for farmers to cultivate and process hemp-derived products. Ohio has also made it legal to sell hemp-derived products outside of medical marijuana dispensaries.
However, marijuana-derived CBD products (those that have a THC value above 0.3%) remain illegal to purchase in Ohio unless you hold a medical marijuana card.
Can I Buy CBD in Ohio?
Hemp-derived CBD products are available for legal purchase in several different forms. This could include products like “cosmetics, personal care products, dietary supplements or food intended for animal or human consumption, cloth, cordage, fiber, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, and any other product containing one or more cannabinoids derived from hemp, including cannabidiol,” according to the Senate Bill 57.
All forms of CBD are legal to purchase in Ohio, which includes:
- Isolate – Contains only the compound CBD
- Full-spectrum – Includes many cannabinoids and compounds from the cannabis plant, including up to 0.3% THC.
- Broad-spectrum – Contains all the same compounds as full-spectrum, just not THC
You’ll find CBD in many different retailers across Ohio, like head shops, health food markets and sometimes even pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. All products must be hemp-derived and comply with local laws and regulations.
That said, do your research before you head to the cash register. According to a 2017 study from the Journal of American Medical Association, 70% of the 84 CBD products that researchers tested did not meet the claims on the label. Look for an official hemp certificate of analysis on your products to make sure that you’re getting what you pay for.
Can I Buy CBD Online?
Buying CBD online can ensure that you’ll receive your top selection — and it’s completely legal in Ohio. Not only is it easy (CBD shows up right at your doorstep) but you can choose from a greater variety of condition-specific products.
Make sure that you’re purchasing your CBD from a reputable source if you’re buying online. Accountable retailers like Zebra CBD will provide information on:
- Testing (completed by a third party)
- Label accuracy
- Dosage strength
- Cleanliness (to guarantees that the CBD is free of heavy metals, harmful microbes and unnatural pesticides)
Can I Buy CBD at a Dispensary?
You’ll likely find medical marijuana dispensaries throughout Ohio selling CBD products. However, you’ll need to be a medical marijuana patient in order to purchase products from a medical dispensary.
Your best bet is to head to a vape shop or wellness store to find CBD at a brick-and-mortar location in Ohio.
Legal Status of CBD in Ohio
CBD is legal in Ohio and there are no legal age restrictions to purchase it. Vendors are able to set their own rules regarding the sale and some may require customers to be at least 21 years of age to purchase CBD.
As laws in Ohio adapt, there is a chance that CBD laws will change, too. Be sure to check for the latest updates in legal status before attempting to purchase CBD.
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. The provided information may not reflect current legal developments or information, and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or current. We recommend checking our source(s) to see if the information or legal status
have been revised since our content was published.
FAQ
1. Is CBD Legal in Ohio?
Yes. Hemp-derived CBD (with a THC content of 0.3% or less) is legal. However, marijuana-derived CBD products can only be purchased with a medical marijuana card.
2. How old do you have to be to buy CBD in Ohio?
There is no legal age requirement to purchase CBD in Ohio but vendors may set their own rules. Some could require a customer to be at least 21 years old to purchase CBD.
3. Can I sell CBD products in Ohio?
Yes. You are not required to hold a license from the Department of Agriculture in order to sell CBD.
Source:
Healthline. Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD: Which One Is Right for You? https://www.healthline.com/health/full-spectrum-vs-broad-spectrum-cbd#how-to-shop
Journal of the American Medical Association. Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661569?resultClick=1
Ohio Department of Agriculture. Hemp Products. https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/food-safety/resources/Hemp-Products
The Ohio Legislature. Senate Bill 57. https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-SB-57
