Perry County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Perry County?

Yes. Cannabis cultivation is legal in Perry County. While medical marijuana became legal in 2016, recreational marijuana use is still prohibited in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Commerce is the governing agency for overseeing medical marijuana cultivation in the state, as per House Bill 523 of Ohio.

Cultivation permits are classified into two types:

• Level I cultivators are permitted to use an initial 25,000-square-foot marijuana growing space.

• Level II cultivators are permitted to use an initial 3,000-square-foot marijuana growing space.

The law prohibits growing operations from being located within 500 feet of a church, public playground, public school, public park, or public library. Cultivators are also prohibited from changing the facility's use or occupancy unless the department has been notified and has given its approval. Additionally, it is against the law for licensed producers to cultivate medical marijuana on public property for personal or family use (Section 3796.18).

Marijuana cultivation outdoors is permitted as long as the surroundings are properly lit and meet the requirements of the license application.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Perry County?

Perry County does permit the production of marijuana, but only for medical purposes. House Bill 523 requires processors/manufacturers to identify the ratio of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol on product labels and prohibits the manufacturing of products that are appealing to minors. Moreover, the manufacturing facility cannot be situated within 500 feet of a church, a public library, a school, a public park, or a public playground. The law also prohibits items from being accessible to minors.

The Ohio Department of Commerce regulates businesses that manufacture medical marijuana. There are three different kinds of manufacturers in Ohio: stand-alone/independent manufacturers, plant-only processors that provide marijuana plants to dispensaries, and vertically integrated manufacturing facilities (merged with other licensees).

A processor license application must include the following:

• $10,000 non-refundable application fee

• An operational plan that details the regulations to be followed

• A business plan with the manufacturing applicant's full name and the type of business organization

• A quality assurance plan that lays out guidelines and practices for the reliable and constant supply of medical marijuana

• A financial plan displaying the names and ownership of all parties involved

• A security strategy that details security guidelines and practices

• Any additional details that the Ohio Department of Commerce deems essential

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Perry County?

Yes, medicinal marijuana retail sales are authorized in Perry County, but only patients with legal medical referrals or registered caregivers have access to medical marijuana dispensaries.

Only dispensing facilities that have requested a valid operating certificate from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy are permitted to conduct medical marijuana retail operations, according to the Ohio Administrative Code. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration for marijuana plant materials sold in Ohio must be 35% or less, and THC content for marijuana extracts must be 70% or less. In Ohio, medical marijuana is offered in the following forms: tinctures, oil, plant materials, edibles, and patches.

Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries are licensed to sell or dispense medical marijuana between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Prior to use, storage areas must be kept in temperatures and lighting conditions that guarantee the quality of medical marijuana. All locations where medicinal marijuana is kept must be dry, clean, well-lit, well-ventilated, and organized. The Ohio Pharmacy Commission inspects and tests these dispensaries on a periodic basis.

Furthermore, House Bill 523 states that while smoking medical marijuana is forbidden, vaporization is allowed. It should be noted that the Ohio Board of Pharmacy has the authority to approve additional and new methods of medical marijuana use.

It is against the law for medical marijuana businesses to distribute marijuana to places outside Ohio.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Perry County?

No. Deliveries of medical marijuana to patients are not permitted in Perry County, not even for individuals who have medical marijuana ID cards. However, deliveries of medical marijuana from cultivators to processors and from processors to retail establishments are permitted.

Ohio Administrative Code mandates that medical marijuana businesses must make sure the locations where deliveries are made are secure and safe. The delivery area must also be under video surveillance monitoring. Access to these delivery areas is restricted to authorized cultivators, retailers, and manufacturers' personnel.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Perry County

To obtain a medical marijuana card in the state of Ohio, you must:

• Be an Ohio resident

• Get examined by a certified physician under the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program

• Have a qualifying medical condition, including:

• Ulcerative colitis

• Hepatitis C

• AIDS

• Positive status for HIV

• Alzheimer's disease

• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• Cancer

• Spinal cord disease or injury

• Sickle cell anemia

• Crohn's disease

• Multiple sclerosis

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Fibromyalgia

• Glaucoma

• Parkinson's disease

• Traumatic brain injury

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Intractable or severe, chronic pain

• Tourette's syndrome

• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

To apply for a medical marijuana card, you must complete the following steps:

1. Create a profile on the Patient and Caregiver Registry by visiting a licensed doctor who can confirm that you have one of the qualifying medical conditions

2. Complete the Patient and Caregiver Registry enrollment process

3. Purchase medical marijuana from a dispensing facility licensed by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy

Those who are under 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent, possess valid identification, and have their parents or guardians apply to be designated caregivers. A 90-day supply of medical marijuana is the maximum amount that can be obtained by a patient or caregiver.

For more details on medical marijuana cards in Ohio, please contact:

Ohio Medical Marijuana Program

77 South High Street, 17th Floor, Columbus, OH,

43215, United States, Ohio

1-833-464-6627

Email: MMCPRegistry@pharmacy.ohio.gov

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Perry County?

The medical marijuana sales tax in Ohio is 5.75%. Since the state's first dispensary opened in 2019, historical sales data from the Ohio Department of Commerce indicate a significant rise in medical marijuana sales. Product sales in April 2019 were $5.2 million, and by August 2022, they had soared to an astounding $954 million. The data suggest that from 2019 to 2022, medical marijuana sales strengthen the state's economy.

While recreational marijuana is still illegal in Ohio, a study by the University of Akron School of Economics found that if the state had legalized it, there would have been over $444 million in net positive social benefits. The analysis also demonstrates that legalizing marijuana for recreational use would increase tax revenues and job openings.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Perry County

Data gathered from the Perry County Sheriff's Office in the FBI crime report showed an increase in DUI cases from 2015, 2016, to 2017— from 6 to 9 and 9 arrests, respectively. Whereas marijuana arrests in Perry County decreased in 2015, 2016, and 2017— from 6 arrests to 4 and 2, respectively.

It should be noted that Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016.