Smoking Marijuana Bought in Michigan Could Soon Be Illegal in Ohio Under New House Bill 56

OHIO | It is still a federal offense to cross state boarders with Cannabis except for products containing less than .03%THC which meets the classification of Hemp. Ohio residents who cross the border to buy recreational marijuana in Michigan may soon face State criminal penalties for bringing it back home, even for personal use.

On November 19, 2025, the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 56 with a 24-9 vote, sending the controversial legislation to Governor Mike DeWine’s desk for signature. If signed (which is widely expected), large portions of the bill regulating THC products will take effect immediately.

One of the most talked-about provisions in the final version of HB 56 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to possess marijuana that was purchased or obtained outside of Ohio’s regulated medical marijuana program — even if the amount is within Ohio’s legal adult-use possession limits.

The bill text specifically states: “No person shall knowingly possess marijuana that was obtained from a source other than a dispensary licensed under this chapter or a person authorized to cultivate marijuana under this chapter.”

That language effectively criminalizes any recreational marijuana brought in from Michigan, Illinois, or any other neighboring state with legal adult-use sales — even though Ohio voters legalized adult-use possession and home cultivation in 2023 via Issue 2.

Additional Key Provisions in the Final HB 56:

• Caps delta-9 THC at 0.3% in hemp-derived products (effectively banning most delta-8, delta-10, and THCa products currently sold in gas stations and CBD shops).
• Bans the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids entirely unless sold through state-licensed medical or future adult-use dispensaries.
• Requires child-resistant packaging and strict labeling for any allowable THC products.
• Imposes new testing and tracking requirements on hemp processors.
• Creates a new Delta-9 THC Beverage Tax and regulatory framework.

Law Enforcement and Border Impact

Law enforcement officers will not be pulling over every car with Michigan plates, but the bill gives them a new tool: if someone is caught with marijuana during a traffic stop or other encounter, officers can now ask where it was purchased. Admitting (or evidence showing) it came from Michigan or another recreational state could lead to misdemeanor charges — even if the amount is under 28 grams (one ounce), which is otherwise legal to possess in Ohio.

What Happens Next?

Governor DeWine has repeatedly called for swift regulation of the “wild west” hemp market and has indicated he will sign the bill quickly. Emergency clauses in the legislation mean the THC limits and out-of-state possession restrictions could take effect within days of his signature.

Once signed, the only legal way for Ohio adults 21+ to obtain non-medical marijuana will be:

1. Growing it themselves at home (up to 6 plants per person, 12 per household — still allowed under Issue 2), or
2. Waiting for the state’s adult-use dispensary program to launch (currently stalled and not expected until mid-2026 at the earliest).

Until then, a trip to Michigan for recreational weed could come with an Ohio misdemeanor charge.

We’ll keep you updated the moment Governor DeWine signs or vetoes HB 56.