Is THC Legal in Ohio?

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Ohio THC-O Overview >

What Is THC?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the active compounds present in the cannabis plant, particularly in the resin secreted in the plant's glands. It is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. However, while marijuana contains significant THC levels, hemp only contains trace amounts. THC is considered the cannabinoid in the cannabis plant responsible for the "high" feeling in cannabis users. THC occurs in various forms. Although Delta-9 THC is the most common form, other notable isomers of THC include Delta-7 THC, Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, and Exo-THC.

Is THC Legal in Ohio?

Cannabis products containing more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are illegal in Ohio. However, patients registered under the state's medical marijuana program may obtain marijuana-derived THC within the specified limits stated under the program.

How Much THC is in Weed?

The concentration of THC in marijuana samples confiscated by law enforcement has steadily risen over the past decades. According to research on cannabis seized by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the potency rose from about 4% THC in 1995 to nearly 12% in 2014. Another corroborating research found that THC concentration in seized cannabis samples had increased to 17.1% by 2017.

THC concentration varies by plant section, ranging from 10-12% in flowers, 1-2% in leaves, 0.1-0.3% in stalks, and less than 0.03% in roots. THC potency also varies according to cannabis strain. Popular cannabis strains and their THC potency concentrations are:

• Yoda OG: 15-24%
• Gas Monkey: 20-26%
• Scones: 20-24%
• Do-Si-Dos: 20-27%
• A-Dub: 17-28%
• Sex Candy: 18-28%
• Bubble Bath: 20-27%
• Mandarin Cookies: 19-26%
• Vegan Nights: 18-24%
• Burkle: 19-26%
• Godfather OG: 34%

Cannabis concentrates contain high THC concentrations, often exceeding 90%. Cannabis concentrates are produced by removing other terpenes and cannabinoids to obtain highly potent substances.

The THC content of a cannabis product indicates its potency, and federal law requires that cannabis products bear conspicuous labels that clearly identify the THC concentration levels. This information is usually indicated under the "Potency Analysis" section of the labels. This information typically includes concentration figures for THCA, THC, Total THC, CBD, CBDA, and Total CBD. Typically, there is less THC in cannabis than there is THCA, which is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid.

Although Delta-9 THC is the most abundant form of THC in weed, other THC analogs present in weed are:

• Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
• Tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THCC)
• Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP)
• Delta-7 THC
• Delta-8 THC
• Delta-10 THC

Ohio THC Laws 2024

Marijuana-derived THC and its products are illegal in Ohio. However, qualifying patients registered under the Ohio medical marijuana program are permitted to purchase and consume limited amounts of THC daily or over 90-day periods. Per HB 523, daily, a qualified patient may use up to:

• 295 milligrams of THC in ointments, patches, creams, and lotions
• 100 milligrams of THC in tinctures, edibles, oils, capsules, or other permitted orally consumable THC product
• 590 milligrams of THC in vape juice or oil

Over a 90-day period, registered patients may consume:

• Up to 26.55 grams of THC in ointments, lotions, creams, and patches
• Up to 53.1 grams of THC in vape juice or oil
• Up to 9.9 grams of THC in tinctures, edibles, capsules, or cannabis oils

Under the Ohio medical marijuana program, patients with terminal illnesses may consume:

• Up to 33.3 grams of THC in capsules, edibles, tinctures, and THC oil
• Up to 11.7 grams of THC in oils

Hemp-derived THC products only became legal in the United States following the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill declassified hemp as a Schedule I Controlled Substance and legalized the cultivation, sale, and consumption of hemp-derived THC products in the United States. According to the bill, hemp-derived THC products are only legal if they contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.

Ohio's legalized hemp products containing low THC in the state through SB 57. SB 57 permitted retail businesses to sell hemp-derived THC products and residents to consume hemp-derived THC products in the state, provided the products do not contain more than the stipulated THC limits. Hemp-derived THC products are available in Ohio in the form of supplements, topicals, tinctures, edibles, vape liquids, and capsules.

Although the State of Ohio decriminalized the use and possession of marijuana in small quantities (up to 100 grams) in accordance with Section 2925.11 of the Ohio Revised Code, an individual found in possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana must pay up to $150 in fines. Depending on the amount caught in a defendant's possession, penalties may be as high as $20,000 in fines and up to 8 years imprisonment.

What is the Legal Limit for THC While Driving in Ohio?

Section 4511.19 of the Ohio Code is the state's regulation governing the operation of a vehicle under the influence of drugs. It stipulates the amount of marijuana or THC that residents may have in their systems while driving before being considered intoxicated and arrested.

You may be arrested in Ohio and charged with drugged driving or an OVI if the following amounts of THC are found in your system:

• Per milliliter of blood:
• 2 or more nanograms of THC
• 50 or more nanograms of marijuana metabolite
• 5 or more nanograms of metabolite in combination with alcohol or other drugs
• Per milliliter of urine:
• 10 or more nanograms of THC
• 25 or more nanograms of marijuana metabolite
• 15 or more nanograms of metabolite in combination with alcohol or other drugs

Will THC Show Up on a Drug Test?

Yes. THC will show up on a drug test depending on various factors. The most common factors affecting THC drug test results include genetics, metabolism, type of drug test, body fat, how often THC products were consumed, and when the last THC dose was taken.

How Long Does THC Stay in the Body?

When you consume a cannabis product containing THC, the THC cannabinoid in the product is absorbed by the body's fatty tissues and then stored in the body. While the effects of THC may last a few hours, THC metabolites will remain in the system for up to 30 days or more. Drug tests such as saliva, hair follicle, urine, and blood tests may be used to determine the presence of THC metabolites in the body.

According to research conducted in 2017, THC can be detected in urine for up to 7 days in moderate use cases and 30 days for chronic marijuana users. To detect recent THC use, blood tests are often utilized. Blood tests can detect THC in the plasma for up to 12 hours in single to moderate use cases and up to 30 days after the last use in chronic use cases. Saliva tests are typically used to detect same-day THC use. However, a 2020 study revealed that THC may show up on the saliva test of heavy THC smokers up to 72 hours after use. Hair follicle tests are used to detect THC use for up to 90 days. In order to obtain a sample in a hair follicle test, a hair section is taken close to the scalp of the suspected THC user.

What Is THC Oil?

THC oil, often known as hash oil, is the oil produced from cannabis plants and it has a high concentration of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. In Ohio, cannabis oil containing less than 0.3% THC is known as CBD oil, whereas cannabis oil containing more than 0.3% THC is known as THC oil. THC oil may be smoked, vaped, consumed, or used topically. THC levels in THC oil may be as high as 90%. THC oil may be made using butane or carbon dioxide extraction techniques. After extraction, cannabis plant extracts are placed in a carrier material (oil).

THC oil is used in producing sweets, chocolates, tablets, drinks, tinctures, and topicals. Although THC oil may be used orally, many users take it sublingually by placing it beneath their tongues. THC oil taken sublingually is absorbed by the mucous membrane beneath the tongue, allowing it to enter the bloodstream more quickly. When THC oil is consumed sublingually, consumers begin to feel the effects within a few minutes. THC oil can potentially make users high since THC is a psychoactive chemical.

What Is THC Distillate?

THC distillate is a highly refined and purified form of THC obtained from marijuana. In making a THC distillate, other cannabinoids and terpenes are removed by distillation to obtain a concentrated form of THC. Although all distillates are oils, not all THC oils are distillates. THC oil may only be considered a distillate after all other cannabinoids and compounds, including terpenes, have been methodically eliminated.

Distillates may be CBD-based or THC-based. THC distillates are highly potent and may cause intoxication, while CBD distillates are unlikely to cause intoxication in users. CBD distillates are highly refined forms of CBD derived from hemp that contain trace levels of THC, usually less than 0.3%. CBD concentrations in CBD distillates are typically more than 80%. THC distillates may be consumed using a dab rig or vaporizer. You may also vape THC distillates using a distillate cartridge and a vape pen. Distillates may be ingested alone or sublingually (under the tongue).

Where to Buy THC in Ohio?

Qualified patients registered under the Ohio medical marijuana program who have obtained physician recommendations may purchase marijuana-derived THC products from approved marijuana dispensaries in the state. If you are not a registered medical marijuana patient, hemp-derived THC products may be purchased at a head shop, natural health outlet, and vape store. You can also buy hemp-derived THC products from online stores and have them shipped to your doorstep.

THC Edibles Dosing Guide