Ohio Updates Marijuana Laws and Employer Rights - HR ALERTS
- Regina Dyerly, SHRBP, PHR
- 23 hours ago
- 1 min read
Ohio Updates Marijuana Laws and Employer Rights
Effective: March 20, 2026
Ohio has enacted significant updates to its marijuana laws that directly affect workplace policies and employer enforcement.
Effective March 20, 2026, the law
Prohibits individuals from knowingly smoking, combusting, or vaporizing marijuana in certain locations, including public places and places of employment.
Prohibits operators of public places from knowingly allowing the consumption of adult-use marijuana or homegrown marijuana on the premises.
Clarifies employer authority related to unemployment benefits, stating that when an employee is discharged for marijuana use in violation of company policy, the employee is not eligible to receive unemployment benefits or serve a waiting period during the applicable disqualification period.
What this means for employers
Employers may continue to enforce workplace drug and alcohol policies, including policies prohibiting marijuana use at work or on company premises.
Terminations for marijuana use that violates company policy may now clearly impact an employee’s eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Employers operating public-facing locations should ensure policies and signage align with the new prohibitions.
Reference: OH S.B. 56
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