Is CBD Legal in Ohio?

by Kat Austin December 30, 2024 6 min read

Is CBD Legal in Ohio? - VO Inc

CBD laws vary widely across the United States, and keeping up with the changes can be challenging, especially in states like Ohio that have been slow to reform cannabis regulations.

Is CBD legal in Ohio? Yes, Ohio has some of the most lenient CBD laws in the nation, making CBD widely accessible beyond just the limited medical program.

However, the lack of regulation means consumers should be cautious about product quality. Here's what you need to know about CBD in Ohio:

 

Table of Contents
Legal Concerns About CBD
What are the CBD laws in Ohio?
Is full spectrum CBD legal in Ohio?
Is it legal to smoke CBD in Ohio?
Does Ohio have a CBD possession limit?
Can doctors prescribe CBD in Ohio?
Where to buy CBD in Ohio?
Can you buy CBD at 18 in Ohio?
Is CBD legal in all 50 states?
Resources

Disclaimer: We’re always working to stay informed on the latest CBD laws and research. However, state laws are subject to change and we advise that you do your own research to verify the information you find in this article. This is not intended as legal advice.

Key Takeaways

  • Lenient CBD Laws in Ohio: Ohio allows the use of CBD in various products, including food, drinks, dietary supplements, topicals, and cosmetics.

  • No Minimum Age Requirement: There are no legal age restrictions for buying CBD, but vendors can enforce their own age limits, often requiring buyers to be at least 21.

  • Lack of Regulation and Safety Risks: The absence of stringent testing and safety measures means consumers should consider shopping online to find reputable CBD brands that ship legal products to Ohio.

Legal Concerns About CBD

A map of Ohio and surrounding states

 

CBD became federally legal in 2018 under the Hemp Farming Act, which removed industrial hemp and its derivatives from the Controlled Substances Act. However, legal CBD must come from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC.

Even after starting with legal hemp, manufacturers must ensure the final product also contains under 0.3% THC, as extraction can concentrate cannabinoids and increase THC levels. Since the CBD industry lacks strict regulations, it's important to verify third-party lab tests to confirm a product's legality.

Federal guidelines apply, but you must also follow your state's specific CBD regulations.

A selection of CBD oils, a popular oral CBD product that is legal in Ohio.

What are the CBD laws in Ohio?

Ohio has lenient CBD regulations, having removed hemp from the controlled substances list and established a licensing program for hemp growers through SB 57, allowing a wide variety of hemp-derived products while imposing minimal restrictions on producers and vendors.

Here are the details:

Ohio has some of the more lenient CBD regulations when compared to other states that have enacted a hemp agriculture plan, like Minnesota or Alabama.

After the 2018 Farm Bill passed into law, Ohio passed SB 57, a bill that removed hemp from the state's controlled substance lists and implemented a program to license hemp growers and support hemp as a marketable good. The bill made a clear distinction between hemp and cannabis in the statehemp is cannabis material containing less than 0.3% THC.

Finally, the bill gave authority over the new hemp program to the state’s Department of Agriculture. Although some states have taken a more restricted approach (like New Hampshire, where CBD edibles are prohibited), Ohio has virtually no restrictions on the types of products that can be made from hemp. CBD can legally be used to make dietary supplements, cosmetics, topicals, food items, and more.

The state imposes some regulations on hemp growers, mostly regarding the plant material's THC content. There are virtually no regulations placed on producers and vendors in the state, so it's important to carefully research local CBD products before you buy.

Is full spectrum CBD legal in Ohio?

It’s easy to assume that CBD isolate is legal in many places since it contains no THC, but many consumers are worried that the trace amounts of THC found in full-spectrum CBD products may cause trouble in states where cannabis is illegal. Luckily, Ohio has no laws restricting full spectrum CBD products that contain 0.3% THC or less.

Is it legal to smoke CBD in Ohio?

Ohio has no restrictions against growing, selling, or possessing CBD hemp flower. Smokable hemp flower is a legal consumable in the state of Ohio.

Does Ohio have a CBD possession limit?

In line with their relaxed CBD laws, there is no possession limit for legal CBD products in the state of Ohio. Products that contain more than 0.3% THC are considered cannabis products and can only be accessed as part of the state’s medical cannabis program. These products may be subject to different possession laws.

Can doctors prescribe CBD in Ohio?

You do not need a prescription to access hemp CBD products in Ohio. In fact, doctors typically cannot “prescribe” CBD products that are sold over the counter, rather they may “recommend” them. Even in states where medical marijuana is legal, like Ohio, access usually requires a doctor’s recommendation, not a prescription.

CBD is still new, and only one CBD product has been approved by the FDA to date. This product, GW Pharmaceuticals’ Epidiolex, is designed to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy. Aside from this product (which comes with stringent usage guidelines), many doctors are still learning about CBD. If you’re interested in the benefits of CBD, you may need to spark a conversation with your doctor.

Where to buy CBD in Ohio?

A handful of CBD softgels, one of the many different legal CBD products found in Ohio.

Thanks to the “free market” hemp industry created by Ohio hemp laws, you can buy many different types of CBD products in stores across the state. You may find CBD in grocery markets, convenience stores, and online

While Ohio’s lax regulations make it easy to find CBD, they don’t do much to protect against poor quality formulations and contaminants. This lack of regulation can put consumers at risk.

Buying CBD online is a suitable option for most consumers. When you buy CBD online directly from the brand, you get better oversight of the brand’s manufacturing practices. Looking at the brand’s hemp source and lab testing procedures can help ensure that the CBD products you choose are clean, potent, and meet legal guidelines.

Buying CBD directly from a brand instead of from a third-party market may also be less costly since you won’t have to pay the extra fees that are often tacked on by the middle man. Of course, premium CBD can be expensive to manufacture, so you should also be wary of products that offer low-ball prices.

Finally, buying CBD online may be the best way to access many different types of CBD. The most common type of CBD product is an oil tincture, but you can find a variety of CBD edibles, topicals, and other specialty products when you shop online.

For more information on how to find high-quality CBD products, check out our CBD Buyer’s Guide.

Can you buy CBD at 18 in Ohio?

CBD is theoretically accessible to all ages, particularly as it is used to treat various childhood illnesses; however, certain products like smokable hemp flower or CBD vaporizers may not be suitable for everyone. The legal age to buy CBD in Ohio is unclear, as there are no specific statewide laws, and local jurisdictions often dictate age restrictions.

Typically, vendors set their own age requirements, with many likely adhering to the tobacco purchasing age of 21. However, numerous CBD brands permit customers aged 18 and older to order online and ship legal CBD products to Ohio.

 

Is CBD legal in all 50 states?

Thanks to federal updates, CBD has the potential to be legal in every U.S. state. CBD is legal in Ohio, but every state has different regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of CBD. Click here to find out where CBD is legal.

FAQ - Is CBD Legal in Ohio?

Are CBD gummies illegal in Ohio?

No, CBD gummies are legal in Ohio as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC and comply with state regulations.

Can you buy CBD over the counter in Ohio?

Yes, you can buy CBD products, including gummies, over the counter in Ohio without a prescription.

Are edibles legal in Ohio?

Yes, CBD edibles are legal in Ohio, provided they meet the state's THC content requirements.

Do I need a prescription for CBD gummies?

No, you do not need a prescription for CBD gummies in Ohio; they can be purchased over the counter.

Does CBD make you sleepy or just relaxed?

CBD may promote relaxation without causing drowsiness; however, individual responses can vary.

Can I buy CBD over the counter?

Yes, you can purchase CBD products, including oils, gummies, and edibles, over the counter in Ohio.

Resources

  1. “Hemp Farming Act of 2018” https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5485
  2. “Senate Bill 57” https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-SB-57
  3. “Ohio Department of Agriculture Hemp Program” https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/hemp-program

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