Buying Weed in Michigan? Here’s Why Ohio SB56 Might Cost You Big

By Mastamynd

January 30, 2026

A new Ohio law prohibits the transportation of cannabis across state lines from Michigan.

Buying Weed in Michigan? Here’s Why Ohio SB56 Might Cost You Big

Ohio’s new law, Senate Bill 56, has officially passed and is scheduled to take effect within the next 60 days. Unless it’s stopped by a successful referendum effort or blocked by a judge, this new law will criminalize something that many Ohio cannabis users do regularly—buy weed in Michigan and bring it home.

Under Issue 2, which voters passed in 2023, adults 21 and over were allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 15 grams of extract. The law didn’t say where that cannabis had to come from. It legalized possession and personal use, and allowed for home grow and non-commercial sharing between adults.

But now, SB56 changes that.

Lines 611 through 621 of the new Sub Bill clearly state that cannabis not purchased in compliance with Ohio law, or brought in from out of state, is not considered legal possession. This means if you legally buy flower, edibles, or carts in Michigan and cross back into Ohio with it, you can be cited, searched, and even charged.

The law also changes how cannabis must be stored in vehicles. It must be sealed in original packaging and kept out of reach. That means in the trunk, glove box, or somewhere locked and inaccessible to the driver. If you have an open bag, loose product, or anything within arm’s reach, you could face additional penalties like an open container charge.

Let’s be honest, most people who travel to Michigan to buy cannabis do it because of lower prices, better selection, and strainsthat Ohio dispensaries might not carry. But now, the risk has changed. This is no longer about federal gray areas. Ohio is creating its own enforcement structure, even if both states have legal programs.

So what’s really changing?

Issue 2 gave adults the right to possess cannabis. SB56 rewrites that by saying the product must come through Ohio’s system, or it’s not protected. It also opens the door to more traffic stops, car searches, and potential profiling based on packaging alone. If the label says "Michigan," that might be enough to trigger a charge.

Dialed in Gummies proudly sponsors the Ohio Cannabis Expo 2026 in Columbus.

The new law is real. It’s passed. The only thing standing in its way now is the referendum being organized by Ohioans for Cannabis Choice or a legal challenge in court. But for now, this is the law, and it will be enforced.

If you want to read the specific section of the bill, look at lines 611 through 621 of SB56. It spells out exactly what they’re doing.

We’ll be talking about this on today’s Ohio Cannabis Live stream at 4:20 PM. I’ll break down what this means for adult-use consumers, medical patients, and what you need to do to stay legal and informed. Bring your questions, your experiences, and let’s talk about how we move forward.

If you want to dig deeper into Ohio law, home grow, and real cannabis education, come to the Ohio Cannabis Expo in Columbus on May 22 and 23. It’s the only event in Ohio focused on consumers, rights, and real conversations. Full info and tickets at www.ohiocannabisexpo.com

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About the Author: Mastamynd is the founder of Ohio Cannabis Live and a verified Ohio medical cannabis patient. He is a disabled small business owner and journalist with over 2,000 cannabis education videos and more than 1.2 million views. He has been covering Ohio’s cannabis laws and industry since 2019. You can follow him on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and more under @ohiocannabislive.