Ohio Cannabis Advertising Laws

Ohio requires the Division of Cannabis Control seal on advertising, and the universal THC symbol wherever the advertisement is on or depicts a container, package or storage device. It prohibits billboards, radio and television broadcast, and internet programming by name, sets a 500 foot buffer measured from parcel boundaries, and applies a high-likelihood test against age eighteen rather than an audience percentage.

Working with a partner that already knows these rules shortens the launch cycle. See how we run campaigns as a cannabis marketing agency in Ohio.

Advertising by licensees is permitted and Rule 1301:18-4-22 contains no pre-approval requirement. The placement list at (B) closes several channels by name. What remains is the licensee's own website under (D), premises signage under (E), and digital placement that satisfies (B)(1) and (B)(4).

Ohio legalised adult-use cannabis through Issue 2 in November 2023, and runs it alongside the medical programme under the Division of Cannabis Control within the Department of Commerce. The statutes are Chapter 3780 for adult use and Chapter 3796 for medical. Advertising sits in a single rule, Ohio Administrative Code 1301:18-4-22, effective January 15, 2026 and last updated August 24, 2026.

The rule opens by stating that the state has a compelling interest to ensure that any advertisement or marketing campaign related to cannabis does not encourage or promote excessive use, intoxication, overconsumption, or use in a manner not authorised, and is not attractive to children.

Medical and adult-use cannabis share one advertising rule set. The prohibition at (B) is drafted as an advertisement for cannabis, whether medical or adult-use, cannabis products, or cannabis-related paraphernalia.

This page is part of our state-by-state cannabis advertising laws library, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The two state marks

Under 1301:18-4-22(H), each licensee is to ensure all advertising contains, as prescribed by the Division: the universal THC symbol, outlined in a contrasting colour to the surface or background on which it is placed to ensure it is clearly visible; and the Division of Cannabis Control seal. If an advertisement depicts any cannabis packaging or labeling, it must depict the THC symbol and the Division seal accurately, and in the precise location displayed on the packaging shown.

Two exceptions apply. Under (I), the THC symbol is not required unless the advertisement is on, or is a depiction of, a container, package, device or other medium capable of storing cannabis. Under (J), the Division seal is not required on wearable merchandise.

The artwork and placement are as prescribed by the Division. Obtain the Division's specification before building creative.

Business name and licence number

Not required. Rule 1301:18-4-22 contains no requirement to display a licence number in advertising.

The required warning statements

None. Ohio mandates no warning language in advertising. The statements in Ohio's rules, including "Caution: When eaten or swallowed, effects and impairment may be delayed" and "Smoking and vaporization is hazardous to your health," attach to labelling.

How the marks have to appear

The THC symbol must be outlined in a contrasting colour to ensure it is clearly visible. The Division seal is to be included as prescribed by the Division. Rule 1301:18-4-22 sets no percentage of the advertising area and no font requirement.

When the marks are not required

The THC symbol under (I), unless the advertisement is on or depicts a container, package, device or other medium capable of storing cannabis. The Division seal under (J), on wearable merchandise.

Hotline number

Not required. Rule 1301:18-4-22 mandates no helpline, hotline or poison control number.

Prohibited content

Under 1301:18-4-22(A), no licensee shall create, use, or disseminate an advertisement that:

• Is false or misleading
• Is obscene or indecent
• Is attractive to children
• Includes any image or text referencing or resembling a cartoon character, fictional character, or pop culture icon whose target audience is children or youth
• Encourages consumption in a manner that leads to excessive use, intoxication, overconsumption, or consumption in combination with other intoxicants or illegal substances, or in a method not otherwise authorised
• Contains a depiction of cannabis consumption or administration
• Departs from the cannabis registered name, including slang terms and similar references
• Is disparaging to a competitor's products
• Contains a health-related statement
• Suggests the advertisement has been approved or endorsed by the Division, the state of Ohio, any person or entity associated with the state, or any other person without their consent
• Violates state or federal trademark or copyright law
• Otherwise violates Chapters 3780 or 3796

Three points on the drafting. Pop culture icons are named alongside cartoon and fictional characters. Any health-related statement is prohibited, and the rule states no substantiation route. And departure from the cannabis registered name means creative must use the name registered with the Division.

Third-party use

Under (G), no licensee shall license, encourage, or otherwise authorise any affiliated or third party to use or advertise in a manner prohibited by division 1301:18.

Merchandise

Under (C), no licensee shall market, distribute, offer, sell, license, or cause to be marketed any merchandise related to a licensed entity, cannabis, or cannabis paraphernalia to an individual under twenty-one. Merchandise is permitted, restricted by the age of the recipient.

Photographing the premises

Under (F), a licensee may photograph, record, or create other media depicting the licensed premises so long as it ensures the confidentiality of all patients, caregivers, and adult-use consumers; that no media compromises the safety and security of the licensed premises; and that, unless authorised by the Division, the media does not depict any secure, limited access area.

Discounts, coupons, and price promotion

Rule 1301:18-4-22 contains no price advertising restriction and no prohibition on discounts, coupons or loyalty programmes. Any offer remains subject to (A)(5), which prohibits encouraging consumption in a manner leading to excessive use, intoxication or overconsumption.

Pre-approval

Not required. Under (K), where the Division determines an advertisement violates the chapter it may require a specific disclosure be made in a clear and conspicuous manner if the advertisement would be false or misleading without it; make recommendations for changes necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare; prohibit the use of the advertisement; or investigate and proceed with any action permitted under Chapter 1301:18-9.

What the Law Requires

Ohio uses two ages in different provisions.

Eighteen is the age in the medium test at (B)(1): no advertising on a medium with a high likelihood of reaching persons under the age of eighteen. Eighteen is also the website age affirmation threshold for registered patients.

Twenty-one is the age for merchandise under (C), and the website age affirmation threshold for adult-use consumers.

The content tests use neither. "Attractive to children" and "whose target audience is children or youth" are character tests.

Audience Percentage Thresholds

Rule 1301:18-4-22 sets no audience composition percentage. This is an absence in the rule rather than an omission from this page. Other states do set one: Connecticut requires reliable evidence that at least 90 percent of the audience is 21 or older, and Delaware requires at least 85 percent.

What the rule uses instead

A qualitative test at (B)(1): whether the medium has a high likelihood of reaching persons under the age of eighteen. Rule 1301:18-4-22 states no method for assessing that likelihood.

Events

Under (B)(9), advertising is prohibited at any scheduled event, including conferences, trade shows, or similar events, which a licensee plans to attend, participate in, or sponsor, whether educational or otherwise, unless the licensee provides written notification to the Division of its intent to attend at least ten business days prior to the event.

Where the burden sits

On the licensee. The prohibitions at (A) and (B) attach to it, and under (G) so does third-party conduct it licenses, encourages or authorises.

Age Gating and Consent

Websites

Under (D), a licensee's website must require age affirmation of at least eighteen by registered patients and at least twenty-one by adult-use consumers before gaining access. The rule uses the word affirmation and prescribes no mechanism.

Onward transmission

Under (D)(1), the site may not provide a medium for users to transmit website content to individuals under 18 for registered patients or under 21 for adult-use consumers.

Location-based devices

Rule 1301:18-4-22 contains no location-based device provision.

Established customers

Rule 1301:18-4-22 contains no exception removing communications to existing patients or customers from the prohibitions.

People Depicted in Ads

Under (A)(4), no image or text referencing or resembling a cartoon character, fictional character, or pop culture icon whose target audience is children or youth. Under (A)(6), no depiction of cannabis consumption or administration. Under (A)(3), nothing attractive to children. Under (A)(10), no suggestion of endorsement by any person without their consent.

Rule 1301:18-4-22 sets no minimum age for persons appearing in advertising. Under (F), photographing the licensed premises is permitted subject to ensuring the confidentiality of all patients, caregivers and adult-use consumers.

Restricted Locations and Buffer Distances

The 500 foot buffer

Under (B)(2), no advertisement within five hundred feet of the end boundaries of a parcel of real estate having situated on it a prohibited facility, a community addiction services provider as defined under Section 5119.01 of the Revised Code, a game arcade admission to which is not restricted to persons aged twenty-one or older, or any other location where the placement of the advertisement targets or is attractive to children as determined by the Division.

What the distance is measured from

The end boundaries of the parcel, not the building or its entrance.

Scope

The prohibition at (B) is written as advertising "in any form or through any of the following medium," so it is not limited to physical signage.

The discretionary limb

The buffer extends to any other location where the placement targets or is attractive to children as determined by the Division. That limb depends on a Division determination rather than a fixed list.

Facility types named

A prohibited facility as defined in Ohio's rules, a community addiction services provider, and a game arcade not restricted to persons 21 or older. The arcade limb turns on the venue's own admission policy.

Venues and Public Property

Under (B)(6), no advertising on or in a public transit vehicle or public transit shelter. Under (B)(7), none on or in a stadium or arena. Under (B)(8), none on or in publicly owned or operated property. Under (B)(5), no advertising left upon any private property without the consent of the property owner. Subsections (B)(7) and (B)(8) state no adult-only venue exception.

Can You Run a Digital Out of Home Screen in Ohio?

Billboards are prohibited under (B)(3), and transit, stadiums and arenas, and publicly owned or operated property are each closed under (B)(6) to (B)(8). The remaining surface is a sign within the external boundaries of the licensee's own parcel, or a monument sign or trade fixture associated with the premises, under (E), which serves to identify the location.

Compliant Use of Geotargeting

• Build 500 foot exclusions measured from parcel boundaries rather than building footprints, around prohibited facilities, community addiction services providers, and game arcades not restricted to persons 21 or older.
• Apply the buffer to digital delivery as well as physical placement, since (B) reaches advertising in any form.
• Exclude transit, stadiums and arenas, and all publicly owned or operated property. Subsections (B)(7) and (B)(8) state no venue exception.
• Rule 1301:18-4-22 states no audience percentage. Assess each medium against the likelihood of reaching persons under eighteen and retain the composition data supporting that assessment.
• Diarise the ten business day Division notification under (B)(9) for any event a licensee will attend, participate in, or sponsor.
• Obtain the Division's position on the scope of "internet programming" at (B)(4) before planning video or display.

One advertising rule set. Ohio runs both programmes under the Division of Cannabis Control, and the prohibition at (B) is drafted as an advertisement for cannabis, whether medical or adult-use, cannabis products, or cannabis-related paraphernalia.

The programmes diverge in the website age affirmation threshold under (D): registered patients affirm at least eighteen, adult-use consumers at least twenty-one. A dual operator therefore needs two access paths, and the onward transmission prohibition at (D)(1) tracks the same split.

The merchandise restriction at (C) uses twenty-one regardless of programme, so merchandise may not be supplied to a registered patient under 21.

Who regulates hemp here

Hemp cultivation and processing sit with the Ohio Department of Agriculture under the state hemp programme established by Senate Bill 57 (SB 57) in 2019. That is a separate agency from the Division of Cannabis Control.

Non-intoxicating hemp and CBD

Permitted through general retail. A hemp product within the federal definition and sold outside the licensed cannabis channel is not advertised by a licensee, so Rule 1301:18-4-22 does not reach it. General Ohio consumer protection law and federal restrictions on health claims apply instead.

Intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids

Ohio has moved to bring intoxicating hemp products under the cannabis framework. Legislation and rulemaking through 2025 and 2026 addressed intoxicating hemp products sold outside licensed dispensaries, with the direction of travel being to restrict their sale in general retail and route them through the licensed channel. The federal definition of hemp narrows in November 2026. Confirm the current position before planning any intoxicating hemp campaign.

What it means for advertising

A product advertised by a Division licensee carries everything on this page: the Division seal, the THC symbol where a container or package is shown, the content prohibitions at (A), the closed channels at (B), and the 500 foot buffer. A non-intoxicating hemp product in general retail carries none of it. Classify each product before building a media plan.

Every statement on this page traces to one of the following:

• Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1301:18-4-22, Advertising, effective January 15, 2026, last updated August 24, 2026
• Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 1301:18-4, Division of Cannabis Control
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3780.03, and Sections 3780.21 and 3796.03, the authorising provisions
• Ohio Revised Code Section 5119.01, defining community addiction services provider
• Ohio Division of Cannabis Control