Got weed for Christmas in another state? What to know about bringing it back to Ohio
Christmas is the season of giving, so why not give a gift that keeps on giving. Am I right?
Well, for some, that means handing out the green and no, we aren’t talking about cash.
Let’s just say you’re given some legal marijuana while traveling for the holidays. Can you take it back home with you? I mean, it was a gift, right?
Here’s what the law says.
Can I bring legal marijuana into Ohio?
Well, the short answer is no, but there’s a bit more to it.
According to Nicholas G. Gounaris, a lawyer with Ohio-based firm Gounaris Abboud, said that bringing marijuana into Ohio is illegal, even if you bought it legally in another state.
“The only marijuana you can lawfully possess in Ohio is the marijuana you buy with a valid prescription in Ohio from a licensed distributor,” Gounaris said.
If you’re gifted more than 100 grams, but less than 200 grams and caught with it, you’ll probably be charged with a misdemeanor.
However, if you were gifted more than an 200 grams for Christmas, it could cost you big time in Ohio.
Possessing between 200 grams and 1,000 grams is a fifth-degree felony, which carries between 6 to 12 months of imprisonment. Any more than that and you’re looking at multiple years of jail.
If you are actually caught with it while traveling, there are more things to consider, like if you already have a criminal record or not and if you have more drugs on you than just marijuana.
And If you’re caught with it at the airport, you could be arrested on site.
“TSA agents may be more concerned with terrorism and large-scale drug trafficking. However, marijuana possession is still a federal crime,” according to LawInfo.org.
Sorry, Ohioans. Looks like you’ll have to turn away the gift of weed this year.
What are your reactions to this story? Let us know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
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This story was originally published December 18, 2023 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Got weed for Christmas in another state? What to know about bringing it back to Ohio."
