COLUMBUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Following the recent passage of Issue 2, which legalized the adult use of marijuana in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control (DOLC) and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have issued a clarification on the rules regarding the use of marijuana in liquor permit premises.
Despite the legalization of recreational marijuana use for adults in Ohio, the DOLC emphasizes that this change does not permit the use of marijuana within establishments holding a liquor permit. A memorandum was sent to stakeholders today to further clarify this point.
Issue 2, approved by Ohio voters on Nov. 7, 2023, and effective since Dec. 7, 2023, did not alter the status of marijuana as a controlled substance. As such, the restrictions of Ohio Administrative Code 4301:1-1-52 remain in effect. Consequently, any liquor permit holders who knowingly or willfully permit the use of marijuana in, upon, or about their licensed permit premises are subject to administrative citation. This includes bars, restaurants, or any other liquor permit holder, who are subject to fines or possible revocation of their license.
The DOLC, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Investigative Unit and local law enforcement, is responsible for controlling the manufacture, distribution, and sale of all alcoholic beverages in Ohio and has enforcement authority over Ohio liquor permit holders. All administrative citation cases are heard by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission.