This weekend marks the final run of OhioCannabis.com’s traveling cannabis farmers’ markets, which for years connected home growers and enthusiasts through plant swaps, seed gifting and informal classes.
The events are shutting down ahead of a new Ohio Senate bill that takes effect next week and significantly restricts private exchanges of marijuana products.
Johnny Lutz — known in cannabis circles as “Johnny Cannabis” and the founder of OhioCannabis.com — told Postindustrial the law will force promoters like him to stop operating. Under the new rules, any exchange of marijuana must go through a licensed business. Previously, attendees at markets such as Lutz’s could legally trade or gift seeds and other plant material.
“Cannabis has been used since the beginning of time… and it’s been in the underground for a long time [before its legalization in Ohio],” Lutz said. “And all they’re doing is pushing it back underground. Promoters like myself are unfortunately going to have to shut down shop because everything’s a felony now.”
Lutz said the markets emphasized self-sufficiency for home growers, providing education and access to genetics — priorities he says will be curtailed by the new law.
“My focus was always home growers,” he said. “I was trying to get people up and running, get them the education, get them access to the genetics [plants].”
Organizers say this weekend’s event will be the last opportunity for attendees to participate in the market-format gatherings that have circulated through Ohio for several years.
If you want to attend Ohio’s last cannabis farmers market, click here.
