Ohio boaters should pass on marijuana when they hit the water, state officials say

If you take the boat out this summer, make sure you do it sober.

As the weather warms up and Ohioans hit the water, state officials are reminding people not to operate a boat while drunk or high. This marks the first summer with recreational marijuana in Ohio after voters legalized it for adults 21 and older.

“We make safety a top priority so people can enjoy Ohio’s rivers and lakes,” said Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “We urge every Ohioan and visitor to follow the law by boating sober and wearing a life jacket this summer. Those simple steps will help keep you, your loved ones and fellow boaters safe.”

It’s illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% and higher. The adult-use marijuana law prohibits passengers on a boat from smoking or vaping cannabis. Open container laws for alcohol also apply on public waterways, according to the Division of Liquor Control.

Officials recommend that boaters designate a sober driver for the day. Patrols will monitor boats for impaired operators and remove them from the water if needed.

“With the legalization of non-medical cannabis use in Ohio following the passage of Issue 2 last November, it is critically important that individuals who choose to consume cannabis products fully understand the unique impact these products have on them,” said Jim Canepa, superintendent of the Division of Cannabis Control.

Recreational marijuana sales could start in the coming weeks. The state is currently processing license applications for businesses that want to grow, process and sell adult-use cannabis.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.