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Ohio Statewide Rule

Ohio Caps Dispensaries at 400 With One-Mile Siting Buffer

Significant RestrictionsApplies statewide across Ohio (2026)

Key Facts

Statewide cap
400 licensed dispensaries
Spacing buffer
One mile between dispensaries
Ownership limit
Eight dispensaries per owner
School/church setback
500 feet (ORC 3796.30)
Governing statute
ORC 3796.05, S.B. 56 (2026)
Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

Ohio law caps the state at 400 licensed marijuana dispensaries and, since March 20, 2026, bars the Division of Cannabis Control from licensing or relocating any dispensary within one mile of another dispensary or onto a liquor-permit site.

(B)(3) When issuing retail dispensary licenses, the division of cannabis control shall ensure that the geographic distribution of dispensary sites does not result in the oversaturation of any geographic area. (4) The division shall not, on or after the effective date of this amendment, issue a retail dispensary license for, or approve the relocation of a licensed retail dispensary to, a location or facility: (a) That is within one mile of another licensed dispensary; (b) For which a permit has been issued under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code to sell beer and intoxicating liquor

View official code

Full Breakdown

Senate Bill 56 rewrote Ohio's Marijuana Control Law effective March 20, 2026, folding adult-use dispensary siting into Revised Code 3796.05. The Division of Cannabis Control may license no more than 400 dispensaries statewide, must distribute sites so no geographic area is oversaturated, and cannot issue or relocate a license within one mile of another dispensary or onto any parcel holding a Chapter 4303 beer or liquor permit. No person may own or operate more than eight dispensaries. A separate setback in Revised Code 3796.30 keeps facilities at least 500 feet from a school, church, public library, public playground, or public park.

Violations & Penalties

The Division of Cannabis Control denies any dispensary license application or relocation that violates the one-mile buffer, liquor-permit, or 500-foot setback rules; siting a store too close forfeits approval outright.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two Ohio dispensaries open near each other?
No. Since March 20, 2026, the Division of Cannabis Control cannot issue or relocate a retail dispensary license within one mile of another licensed dispensary under Revised Code 3796.05(B)(4).
How many dispensaries can Ohio have?
No more than 400 licensed dispensaries may operate statewide at any one time, and no single person may own or operate more than eight of them, under Revised Code 3796.05.
Can a dispensary open next to a school in Ohio?
No. Revised Code 3796.30 bars any marijuana facility from operating within 500 feet of a school, church, public library, public playground, or public park.

Sources

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