Firearms
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3)) bars an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance from having a gun. Two things changed in 2026:
- Rescheduling. Since 28 April 2026, marijuana covered by a state medical marijuana license is in Schedule III under a DEA rule. Marijuana outside a state medical program stays in Schedule I.
- The Supreme Court. On 18 June 2026, in *United States v. Hemani*, the Court held the government had not shown that disarming someone simply for regular marijuana use fits the nation’s tradition of gun laws, as applied to that defendant. It did not decide cases involving people who are intoxicated while armed.
ATF has also withdrawn its 2011 letter that told gun dealers to treat medical marijuana card holders as prohibited. The law is still settling, so talk to a firearms lawyer before buying or carrying a gun. We can’t give legal advice.
Your job
Ohio law does not protect your job because you are a patient. Under Revised Code 3796.28, employers:
- don’t have to accommodate marijuana use;
- can keep drug-testing, drug-free workplace and zero-tolerance policies;
- can refuse to hire, discipline or fire someone for marijuana use;
- must still follow federal rules, such as U.S. Department of Transportation testing for commercial drivers.
If you’re fired for breaking a written drug policy, Ohio treats it as “just cause”, and you can lose unemployment benefits.
Driving
Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal for everyone, patients included. Ohio’s OVI law (Revised Code 4511.19) also sets limits for marijuana in blood and urine. Being a registered patient is not enough reason for police to give you a field sobriety test or suspend your license; they need an independent reason to suspect impaired driving (Revised Code 3796.24).
Housing
A landlord can’t reject you as a tenant mainly because you’re a registered patient, unless federal law requires it. A lease can still ban smoking or vaping marijuana in the home or common areas, and home growing (Revised Code 3796.24).
Custody, medical care and benefits
- Lawful medical use can’t be the sole or main reason for a child abuse or neglect finding, or for a custody or parenting-time decision, unless there is clear and convincing evidence a child is unsafe.
- It can’t be a reason to deny you medical care or a place on a transplant list.
- It can’t disqualify you from public benefit programs, except unemployment benefits under the rules above.
Your privacy
Registry information that identifies you is confidential under Ohio law and is not a public record (Revised Code 3796.08).