Ohio Senate Bill Cuts Back Cannabis Legalization Progress

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 focuses on efficiency and safety. However, cannabis advocates argue it’s a blatant rollback of what voters approved.

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

However, critics say the bill does more than just streamline regulations; it guts Ohio’s cannabis law.

1. What’s in Senate Bill 56?

If passed, SB 56 will wipe out most of the existing Cannabis Control Law. Additionally, it merges regulations for medical and adult-use marijuana into a single system under the new Marijuana Control Law. The bill also proposes several major changes:

Excise tax increase: The excise tax on weed sales would rise from 10% to 15%. All revenue would go into the General Revenue Fund (GRF), rather than being allocated to community reinvestment programs, substance abuse treatment, or municipalities where dispensaries operate.
Home grow restrictions: The number of plants allowed per residence would be cut from 12 to 6. Additionally, the transfer of homegrown weed would be banned, meaning Ohioans cannot give a plant to a friend.
Program elimination: The state’s Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Program would end. This fund was designed to help communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs enter the cannabis industry.
Dispensary license caps: Licenses would be capped at 350 statewide. New licenses would be banned within half a mile of another dispensary. Critics argue this protects large corporations while shutting out smaller businesses.
THC and product limits: THC limits on extracts would be reduced from 90% to 70%. Dispensaries would be banned from selling adult-use weed products shaped like animals, fruits, or cartoons, which lawmakers argue could attract kids.
Local government control: Cities and townships would gain expanded authority to ban dispensaries, cultivators, and processors more easily.
Workplace protections repealed: Protections for cannabis users would be repealed, making it easier for employers to fire workers who legally use marijuana off the clock.
Marketing restrictions: Marketing cannabis using imagery aimed at young people—such as cartoon mascots or “stoner” branding—would be banned.

2. Why Cannabis Advocates Are Concerned

For cannabis advocates, this bill feels like a gut punch. A statement from advocacy groups said, “This proposed legislation is a direct slap in the face to Ohio’s voters.” So far, these groups have not given testimony in the Senate hearings.

Meanwhile, cannabis businesses and consumers feel betrayed. The version of legalization they fought for is being rewritten behind closed doors—with no new input from voters.

Final Thoughts

Ohio’s Senate Bill 56 threatens to undo the progress voters worked hard to achieve. It raises important questions about who benefits from legalization and how regulations impact communities.

If you want to know more about cannabis laws, stay informed with mitechnews.com.

FAQs

What is Senate Bill 56, and what does it propose?

Senate Bill 56 proposes to replace Ohio’s current cannabis regulations with a new Marijuana Control Law, merging medical and adult-use marijuana under one system with major changes, including higher taxes and restrictions on home grows.

How would SB 56 affect home growing marijuana in Ohio?

SB 56 would reduce the allowed number of homegrown plants from 12 to 6 per residence and ban sharing or transferring homegrown cannabis.

Who opposes Senate Bill 56 and why?

Cannabis advocates and some businesses oppose SB 56 because it rolls back voter-approved legalization measures, restricts small business growth, and reallocates tax revenue away from community programs.