Oho Senate Bill Attempts To Defy Voters And Guts Cannabis Legalization

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio is once again at the center of a high-stakes fight over marijuana legalization. Just over a year after voters approved adult-use cannabis, Senate Bill 56, introduced by Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, is poised to radically reshape the state’s marijuana laws. Supporters say the bill is about efficiency and safety, but cannabis advocates argue it’s a blatant rollback of what voters approved.

“This bill is about government efficiency, consumer and child safety, and maintaining access to voter-approved adult-use marijuana,” Huffman said in his sponsor testimony last week.

But critics say the bill does more than just streamline regulations—it guts Ohio’s cannabis law.

What’s in the Bill?

If passed, SB 56 would wipe out most of the existing Cannabis Control Law, merging regulations for medical and adult-use marijuana into a single system under the new Marijuana Control Law. Among its biggest changes:

Increases the excise tax on weed sales from 10% to 15%—with all revenue funneled into the General Revenue Fund (GRF) instead of being allocated to community reinvestment programs, substance abuse treatment, or municipalities where dispensaries operate.
Slashes home grow rights, cutting the number of plants allowed per residence from 12 to 6 and banning the transfer of homegrown weed—meaning Ohioans can’t even give a plant to a friend.
Ends the state’s Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Program, a fund designed to help communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs enter the industry.
Caps dispensary licenses at 350 statewide and bans new licenses within half a mile of another dispensary—a move critics say protects large corporations while shutting out smaller businesses.
Reduces THC limits on extracts from 90% to 70% and bans dispensaries from selling adult-use weed in products shaped like animals, fruits, or cartoons—which lawmakers argue could attract kids.
Expands local government control, allowing cities and townships to ban dispensaries, cultivators, and processors more easily.
Repeals workplace protections for cannabis users—making it easier for employers to fire workers who legally use marijuana off the clock.
Bans marketing weed with imagery aimed at young people (think cartoon mascots or “stoner” branding).

For cannabis advocates, it’s a gut punch.

“This proposed legislation is a direct slap in the face to Ohio’s voters,” said a statement from cannabis advocacy groups, who have not yet given testimony in the Senate hearings.

But for cannabis businesses and consumers, the bill feels like a bait-and-switch. The version of legalization they fought for is being rewritten behind closed doors—with no new input from voters.

Read more at SciotoValleyGuardian

About the Author: Mike Brennan

Founder of Michigan News Network, and serves as CEO, as well as Editor & Publisher of MITECHNEWS.COM. Brennan has worked since 1980 as a technology writer at newspapers in New York, NY, San Jose, CA., Seattle, WA., Memphis, TN., Detroit, MI., and London, England. He co-founded and served as managing editor of Pacific Rim News Service (SEATTLE), which developed a network of more than 100 freelance journalists in 17 Asia-Pacific countries.