Voters who overwhelmingly approved adult marijuana use in Ohio could soon experience restrictions. Despite the new constitutional amendment that spelled out marijuana regulations, lawmakers want to tighten the reins by limiting where it can be smoked, how it can be transported and the penalties for breaking the law. Lawmakers, however, did keep a 36% cannabis tax that goes toward communities that allow a dispensary, the Center Square Reported.
A plan to increase the tax on adult-use marijuana from 10% to 15%, however, did not make the final compromise. However, constitutional mandates on how the tax money will be spent were changed. Originally, voters approved allocating the money for a substance abuse fund, a social equity fund, communities with dispensaries and administrative costs. The proposed legislation eliminates the social equity fund.
Legal sales began in the state in August 2024, following the November 2023 general election that approved adult-use marijuana with a 57% vote. That constitutional amendment included none of the restrictions closer to reality, including a ban on public smoking and a reduction in legal protections for marijuana users.
"While not a perfect bill, Senate Bill 56 enshrines important legislative victories for adult use users and takes the first steps in creating a regulatory framework around intoxicating hemp," Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, said in a statement.
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