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

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Summit County?

Yes, marijuana cultivation is legal in Summit County. In 2016, lawmakers in Ohio passed House Bill 523, which is also known as the Medical Marijuana Control Program law. As for recreational marijuana, it is still illegal in the State of Ohio.

House Bill 523 states that the Ohio Department of Commerce regulates the medical marijuana cultivators. According to the Medical Marijuana Control Program, level I cultivators are allowed to operate an initial marijuana cultivation area of up to 25,000 square feet, while level II cultivators are allowed to operate an initial marijuana cultivation premise of 3,000 square feet. House Bill 523 prohibits a cultivator from being located within 500 feet of a public library, school, church, public park, or public playground. Pursuant to Section 3796, a cultivator is not permitted to change the occupancy or use of the facility unless the department is informed and provides written approval of the changes.

Furthermore, Section 3796.18 states that the licensed cultivator shall not cultivate medical marijuana for personal, household, or family use or on any public land. Cultivation is allowed outdoors, provided that the outside perimeter of the cultivation area is well-lit and in accordance with the cultivator’s license application.

The cultivator licensing fees are as follows:

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Summit County?

Yes. The Ohio Department of Commerce regulates and licenses medical marijuana processors or manufacturers. There are three types of processors/manufacturers: standalone manufacturers, vertically integrated facilities (merged with other licensees), and a plant-only processor, which is a cultivator who distributes marijuana plants directly to dispensaries.

An applicant for a processor license shall submit the following:

• A non-refundable application fee of $10,000
• A business plan which includes the legal name of the applicant and the type of business organization
• An operations plan that sets policies and procedures that the processor applicant will implement
• A quality assurance plan that specifies procedures and policies for a safe, consistent medical marijuana supply
• A security plan that establishes safety policies and procedures
• A financial plan that includes the identity and ownership interest of owners involved
• Any other information that the department deems necessary

House Bill 523 prohibits a processor/manufacturer from being located within 500 feet of a public library, school, church, public park, or public playground.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Summit County?

Yes. Medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio dispense medical marijuana only to patients with a legal doctor’s recommendation, similar to a pharmacy. The Ohio Administrative Code, Rule 3796:6-3-01 says that only dispensaries with active certificates of operation from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy may engage in medical marijuana retail operations.

Medical marijuana may be dispensed in the following forms: oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, and patches. Vaporization of medical marijuana is allowed, while smoking or combustion of medical marijuana is strictly prohibited. Moreover, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy may approve additional methods of medical marijuana use. A dispensary is not allowed to obtain or dispense marijuana from, or transfer marijuana to any location outside of Ohio.

Rule 3796:6-4-02 states that medical marijuana dispensaries are subject to unannounced or random inspections and testing by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Dispensaries are allowed to sell, serve, or dispense medical marijuana between 7 am and 9 pm.

With respect to tetrahydrocannabinol content, plant material shall have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of not more than 35%, while extracts shall have a THC content of not more than 70%.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Summit County?

No, medical marijuana delivery for patients with medical marijuana cards is not legal in Summit County. However, as far as marijuana delivery is concerned, only cultivators may deliver products to processors, and processors may deliver products to retail dispensaries. Ohio Administrative Code, Rule 3796:6-3-06 says that all premises where medical marijuana is delivered shall be properly secured and monitored with video surveillance. Access to that area shall be limited to the necessary licensed cultivator, processor, and dispensary employees.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Summit County

To qualify for a medical marijuana card in Ohio, you must:

• Be an Ohio resident
• Have an appointment with a certified physician under the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program
• Have qualifying medical conditions as follows:

1. AIDS
2. Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
3. Fibromyalgia
4. Glaucoma
5. Alzheimer's disease
6. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
7. Cancer
8. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
9. Crohn's disease
10. Hepatitis C
11. Inflammatory bowel disease
12. Multiple sclerosis
13. Parkinson's disease
14. Positive status for HIV
15. Pain that is either of the following: Chronic and severe or intractable
16. Post-traumatic stress disorder
17. Sickle cell anemia
18. Spinal cord disease or injury
19. Tourette's syndrome
20. Traumatic brain injury
21. Ulcerative colitis

Obtaining medical marijuana card in Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program involves the following steps:

• Visit a certified physician who can confirm and approve that you have one of the qualifying medical conditions and have that doctor create your profile in the Patient and Caregiver Registry
• Confirm and complete your registration in the Patient and Caregiver Registry
• Purchase medical marijuana from a licensed Ohio dispensary with a certificate of operation from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy

Minors may apply for Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program provided that they have a consent from a parent or legal guardian, have valid IDs as proof of age and identity, and have their parents or legal guardian register as adult caregivers. The amount of medical marijuana that a registered patient or caregiver can possess shall not exceed a 90-day supply.

For questions about medical marijuana cards in Ohio, please contact:

Ohio Department of Health

246 N High St, Columbus, OH,

United States, Ohio

(614) 466-3543

Or

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 Summit County?

Historical sales data from the Ohio Department of Commerce shows that there is an increasing figure in medical marijuana sales since the first dispensary opened in 2019— from $5.2 million in product sales in April 2019 to $954 million in August 2022. This shows that the medical marijuana sales has boosted the economy of Ohio.

Medical marijuana is subject to a sales tax of 5.75% in Ohio. Local authorities are also allowed to collect cannabis sales tax ranging between 0.75% to 2.25%.

Meanwhile, since recreational marijuana is still illegal in the state, a study from The University of Akron Department of Economics states that legalizing adult-use marijuana will result in a positive social net benefit for Ohio, with an estimated net benefit value exceeding $444 million. The study also implies that recreational marijuana legalization will draw more benefits from the tax revenue and job opportunities.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Summit County

According to the FBI crime report, data from the Summit County Sheriff's Office showed a slight increase in DUI cases from 2015, 2016, to 2017— from 10, to 11, and 11 arrests, respectively. On the other hand, cases of drug possession in Summit County decreased in 2015, 2016, and 2017— from 231 arrests, to 230, and 167, respectively.

Note that medical marijuana in Ohio was legalized in 2016.