The complete guide to cannabis in Cleveland

Cleveland’s marijuana market is expanding fast as Ohio’s cannabis laws continue to evolve.

With both recreational and medical cannabis legal throughout the 216, it’s important to know the most up-to-date information about what you can and cannot do as a marijuana consumer.

Learn where you can go to find the best cannabis products possible in the city, whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident.

Key takeaways

• Legal age: Recreational users must be 21 or older to buy cannabis from a dispensary, while medical card holders must be 18 or older.
• Purchase limits: Recreational users may purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, while medical patients may purchase up to a 90-day supply of cannabis products.
• Consumption rules: Cannabis can be smoked or vaporized in private, but it’s illegal to do so in public spaces.
• Approved dispensaries: Only buy your cannabis from a licensed dispensary, otherwise you may end up with low-quality or unsafe cannabis products.

Ohio cannabis laws

Both medical and recreational cannabis are legal in Cleveland and throughout Ohio. Recreational cannabis became legal in November of 2023, when 57% of the state voted in favor of Ohio marijuana legalization. Sales began in August of 2024.

Under Ohio law, adults must be at least 21 years of age to enter and purchase from a dispensary and may buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower or 15 grams (g) of concentrates if they don’t have a medical card.

Possession of between 70 and 200 g is considered a misdemeanor. Possession of more than 200 g is considered a felony, with penalties including incarceration and a fine.

Medical marijuana has been legal since September of 2016, but medical marijuana dispensaries didn’t open in the state until January of 2019. Medical cannabis patients must apply for a card through the state with a physician’s recommendation and must be at least 18 years of age to make purchases at a dispensary. Caregivers may also apply on behalf of minors with qualifying conditions.

Medical cardholders can purchase and possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis. What’s considered a 90-day supply is decided by the patient’s physician.

While it’s legal to consume cannabis edibles, tinctures, and topicals anywhere, inhalable products like cannabis flower and vaporizers may not be used in places where smoking is banned. Users are free to use these products on their private property, but renters need to check their lease agreement to see whether or not smoking or vaporizing are permitted in their landlord’s residence.

It’s strictly illegal to smoke or vaporize cannabis in a vehicle, and to drive while under the influence. When transported, cannabis products must be kept in a tamper-proof container out of reach from the driver.

Both medical and recreational users may grow up to six cannabis plants per household. Property owners may restrict cannabis cultivation on their premises.

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Tips for buying cannabis in Cleveland

Whether you’re using cannabis recreationally or you’re a medical patient treating a condition, here are some tips to help you find the best products and enjoy them legally:

• Buy from a licensed dispensary: It’s essential that you only purchase from a licensed dispensary. Otherwise, your cannabis products won’t be regulated. Buying outside of a dispensary could leave you with a product that’s made with unsafe ingredients or doesn’t work.
• Check out different products: There are all kinds of cannabis products worth exploring, including flower, vapes, gummies, topicals, tinctures, and more. Each product has its own potency level, duration of effects, and onset time, and some may be better for your needs.
• Talk to an expert: If you’re unsure what to buy or how to use cannabis properly, talk with an expert at your local dispensary or a telehealth professional at Leafwell. This way, you can gain cannabis education and get personalized guidance for the best results.
• Compare prices: Look around for deals at different dispensaries in your area and compare prices of cannabis products to avoid brands and businesses that overcharge.
• Pay attention to the law: Both medical and recreational cannabis laws in Ohio are subject to change, so it’s best to stay up to date with what you can and cannot do as a consumer.
• Bring your documentation: You can’t visit a dispensary without a state-issued photo ID. You’ll also need your medical card when making a purchase if you want access to higher purchase amounts, a lower age limit, and a wider selection of products.

Dispensaries in Cleveland, Ohio

• The Botanist: 3865 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114

• Therapy Cannabis: 13429 Lakewood Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44107

• RISE: 1222 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115

Benefits of getting medical marijuana in Cleveland

If you’re over the age of 21, you don’t need a medical card to purchase from an Ohio dispensary, but having one comes with multiple benefits.

With a medical card, you can:

• Access cannabis at age 18 or older, instead of 21
• Purchase and possess higher amounts (a 90-day supply rather than 2.5 ounces)
• Access a wider selection of products, including higher-potency options
• Pay less with fewer taxes for medical card holders (about a 10% savings on taxes)

How to get a medical marijuana card in Cleveland

If you’re interested in getting a medical marijuana card as a Cleveland resident, the process is very simple.

Ohio is one of the few states that provides electronic cards, which can be printed and kept in your wallet.

This means that you can get your card on the same day that your application is approved. That card can be used at any Ohio dispensary.

Finding a doctor

The first thing that you’ll need to do is find a doctor in your area who can diagnose you with a qualifying condition and make a medical marijuana recommendation that will be provided to the state’s medical marijuana registry.

There are doctors in the Cleveland area who provide recommendations. If you prefer, you can also use an online telehealth service like Leafwell and go through the process in the comfort of your home.

Once you’ve received your diagnosis and medical marijuana recommendation, you can apply for a card through the state’s online registry portal. Make sure to have your recommendation handy, along with your state-issued photo ID.

Once your application is approved, you’ll be sent an electronic card that’s valid at any Ohio dispensary. Print it out, and make sure to hold onto the original online document in case you ever need to replace it.

Qualifying conditions

To be approved for a medical marijuana card, you must be diagnosed with at least one of the following qualifying conditions:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Chronic pain, muscle pain, and other types of pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C)
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Muscle spasms
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle cell diseases
• Spinal cord injuries and spinal cord diseases
• Tourette syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury or stroke

Can an out-of-state visitor purchase cannabis in Cleveland?

Recreational users age 21 and older can purchase marijuana at any Cleveland dispensary.

However, Ohio is one of the few states that does not accept out-of-state medical cards.

If you’re a medical cardholder, you won’t be able to enjoy access to the benefits of having a medical card, like lower taxes and higher purchase limits, during your visit.

Other things to know about cannabis in Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland School of Cannabis is an accredited school that provides cannabis education courses for those who want to learn more about the plant or work in the cannabis industry.

You can also attend a number of cannabis events in the Cleveland area, like conventions, cannabis industry expositions, and more. Check your neighborhood’s local calendar for events that are coming your way.

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to your FAQs about medical marijuana in Cleveland.

Can I buy recreational marijuana in a Cleveland dispensary?

Yes, as long as you’re age 21 or older. Ohio legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023. This means you don’t need to register with the state’s medical marijuana program to legally buy and consume cannabis.

Are there dispensaries in Cleveland?

Cleveland is home to a number of marijuana dispensaries where you can purchase cannabis for either recreational or medicinal use. To purchase from a dispensary, you must have your state-issued photo ID handy and your medical card, if applicable.

Can I smoke cannabis in public in Cleveland?

It’s illegal to smoke cannabis in public according to Ohio law, as smoking is banned in public spaces. This applies even if you’re a medical marijuana patient. You can smoke at a private residence, as the state’s marijuana policy does not forbid smoking cannabis at home.

Where can I find an Ohio medical marijuana doctor?

If you’re seeking out a medical marijuana card, you can find Ohio medical marijuana doctors by doing a simple search online. Or, you can use an online telehealth service like Leafwell as a convenient alternative.

Resources 

• Adult-use marijuana in Ohio: What you need to know. https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/faculty-and-research/drug-enforcement-and-policy-center/research-and-grants/policy-and-data-analyses/cannabis-crossroads
• Division of Cannabis Control (DCC). https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/cannabis-control/

Get your medical card in Cleveland

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Apply now