4/20 is here (not really for Ohio): How far do Ohioans have to drive to get legal marijuana?

Saturday marks Ohio’s 4/20 the first “green” holiday since Ohio legalized recreational marijuana in November. But recreational weed sales in the state aren’t set to begin until June at the earliest.

So, what is a marijuana enthusiast to do?

If you don’t have a medical marijuana card, you’ll have to drive. Remember, taking marijuana across state lines is still illegal under federal law even if you’re moving it from one legal state to another. You’ll have to use it in whatever state it’s purchased in if you don’t want to run afoul of the law.

More on Ohio recreational marijuana: Ohio recreational marijuana for beginners: Navigating THC, pre-rolls, edibles and terpenes

With that in mind, the Dispatch set out to see just how far you’ll have to go from some of Ohio’s bigger cities to legally buy recreational marijuana.

Legal marijuana in Columbus

The closest recreational marijuana dispensary to Ohio’s capital city is in Petersburg, Michigan. You’ll have to drive 161 miles or two hours and 41 minutes to get there.

Legal pot in Cleveland

The nearest recreational dispensary to the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Monroe, Michigan at 133 miles or two hours and five minutes of driving.

Legal weed in Cincinnati

As the proverbial crow flies, Morenci (at 200 miles away or three and a half hours of driving) is technically the closest place to get recreational weed for residents of the Queen City. But in terms of driving time, Danville, Illinois—the home of two recreational dispensaries—is closest, with two hours and 59 minutes of road time, or 202 miles of travel.

Legal marijuana in Akron

Like Cleveland, Monroe, Michigan is the closest city with a recreational dispensary at 155 miles or two hours and 23 minutes of driving.

Legal marijuana in Dayton

Morenci, Michigan is the closest city with recreational weed available at 147 miles or two hours and 43 minutes of driving from Dayton. In terms of drive time, Petersburg is slightly closer at two hours and 30 minutes of driving or 168 miles.

What’s going on with legal weed in Ohio?

Ohio residents might not have to drive far at all to get recreational weed later this year. Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control could approve recreational licenses for many existing medical dispensaries as early as June.

In the meantime, the only ways of acquiring legal weed in Ohio is with a medical marijuana card or by taking a road trip.

NHart@dispatch.com

@PartofMyHart