Ohio marijuana businesses aren’t likely to have as easy a time of advertising as their Michigan counterparts under new rules proposed by state regulators, which will be considered by lawmakers in coming months. But they will be allowed to start producing and selling pre-rolled joints, products that were not allowed under the original framework.
The new package of regulations for cannabis companies – dubbed the “Common Sense Initiative” and compiled in a 72-page document for a committee of lawmakers to weigh during the 2025 legislative session – has plenty of pros and cons for those in the marijuana trade, Cleveland.com reported, not the least of which are new and clear restrictions on advertising. It’s a clear sign that the Midwestern market is on its way to full maturity.
The conservative state is taking an unsurprisingly conservative approach to cannabis ads, with the rules package at this point prohibiting marijuana billboards, radio and TV ads, or even online ads that have a high likelihood of being seen by anyone under 18 years old.
Although the rules package is still months away from going into effect, a lack of advertising options for brands is a fairly commonplace hurdle nationwide, given that plenty of other states have also adopted similar advertising stances for cannabis.
That news is likely to cause consternation among Ohio marijuana businesses, but the rules also have a flip side, in that regulators are moving for the first time to let cannabis companies manufacture and sell both regular and infused pre-rolled joints for recreational customers. Such products have long been banned in Ohio’s medical marijuana market, given that patients are technically required to vape all the raw flower they purchase instead of smoking it.
The new rules also offer dispensaries the option of enticing customers with product discounts, as long as they offer the same discount to both medical and adult-use customers, another new change that is likely to make retailers happy.
The wide-ranging proposed new rules also touch on business license fees, employee training protocols, record keeping requirements, inventory control, product recalls, and more.
There’s a public comment period open until Dec. 23 for members of the industry to provide feedback, and after that the rules package will go to lawmakers for their approval, but finalization of the rules is expected to take several more months, Cleveland.com reported.
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