COLOMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans overwhelmingly voted to legalize recreational marijuana in 2023, but Republicans are on their way to restrict it. The most commonly asked question I have received over the last 24 hours is, “How do I stop this legal?”
I have a series of answers series of questions and concerns for viewers and readers about weeds. This story focuses on how Senate Bill 56 or other recent policy proposals will affect you.
Previous installments have focused on learning the basics of law and how to buy it before the legal sales that opened in August 2024 began. I then answered questions about where I would be involved and employment concerns.
Many of the questions in this film come from the story of Wednesday.
Ohio Senate GOP restricts access to recreational marijuana
Related: Ohio GOP says they didn’t know what voters were voting for when legalizing weeds.
First, let’s break down the current law. If you are over 21 years old, you can smoke, smoke and consume marijuana. You can grow six plants individually, but if you live with others, you can grow up to 12 plants per household.
You can have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in any form, except for concentrates. This can only hold up to 15 grams.
What are the major changes the state is about to make?
Senate Republicans passed SB 56.
“We need some common sense safety protections for Ohio people, primarily for children,” said Senate Speaker Rob McColley (R-Napoleon).
Most notably, it reduces the THC content of the product and limits the home growing into six plants.
Click here to find out more about what’s on SB 56.
The psychoactive cannabinoid THC concludes with 100 milligrams per package. It also primarily reduces tolerable THC levels in adult extracts up to 90% to 70%.
Other types of marijuana products (e.g., edibles) are limited to 10mg per serving and 100mg per package.
Is medical marijuana affected by the proposed THC restriction?
no.
“That’s not because medical marijuana programs are being implemented under different laws,” Entin said.
Where will the money go?
Currently, the law gives 10% tax revenue to four different venues from each marijuana sale. 36% to social equity funds to help those disproportionately affected by marijuana-related laws. 36% to host cities – what has pharmacies. 25% of the state’s Mental Health and Addiction Services division. 3% in the state’s cannabis regulation sector.
However, as explained by Jonathan Entin, a professor of constitutional law at Western Reserve University, the Social Equity Fund will be removed under SB 56.
“The main driving force is essentially using tax revenue for law enforcement purposes,” he said.
Will cost change anything?
Yes, but not with the SB 56.
Gov. Mike DeWine proposed, and the House is currently discussing it. How much tax will you pay at the time of sale?
DeWine suggested raising it from 10% to 20%.
Ohio weeds cost twice as much as Michigan, but lawmakers want it to be even more expensive
Related: Ohio Weeds cost twice as much as Michigan, but lawmakers want it to be even more expensive
Will medical marijuana be affected by the new proposed tax payments proposed by the House of Representatives in its budget?
no.
Can citizens go to court to stop this?
no.
“Nothing in the state constitution limits the ability of Congress to tinker with or completely abolish the laws commonly adopted,” Entin continued.
In the context there are two main ways that citizens can get something in a statewide vote. The laws and constitutional amendments have begun. The recreational marijuana proposal is an inaugurated law, which means it will enter the Ohio State Revised Code. A law that has been launched, or law, has a voting process that is easier than constitutional reform. The laws launched can be easily changed, but the amendments cannot be easily changed.
How can lawmakers justify their changes?
GOP leaders continue to say they knew voters wanted legal weeds, but they didn’t know everything they were voting for.
“I don’t know why people voted for the initiative. It was growing homes, public smoking, and more pharmacies. It could have been anything.” “We never know.”
I wondered why this rhetoric continues.
“Voters (you and the other lawmakers said) knew they were choosing marijuana, but they didn’t know exactly what they were voting for. Why do you think about that?” asked Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon).
“Well, I’m not saying they didn’t know what they were voting for,” he said. “I think the comment (it) of today was made is that there may be another reason why everyone is going to get to ‘yes’. Like other big laws, it is huge and deals with a variety of changes. ”
Voters should have known the risks of lawmakers being involved, as voters chose to vote for it as a law launched in place of constitutional amendments, the president added.
McColey “really” voted in 2023 was “access to the product.”
What can you do to stop them?
“Their bailout is to vote for lawmakers,” Entin said.
…In the end.
According to both Chambers leaders, SB 56 or other bill-change cannabis policies could be implemented in the coming months. However, it will be 2026 that House members will be taking part in the election, with some senators facing reelection in 2026 and others facing 2028.
Or you can reach out to them, testify or protest at the state capitol. The bill still needs to go through a more weed-friendly home than the Senate.
The issues that election law experts warn are:
“Gerrymandering is essentially the ability to draw maps and make parties stronger than popular,” said CWRU’s Ativa Ellis. “The problem is that Republicans can map out more districts that are easier for them to win than Democrats.”
Ohio is clearly a red state, but it’s not as red as the legislative structure, explained Ellis.
“They were able to draw districts so that there are more districts working for the benefit of Republican office holders than the number of people voted for Republicans across the state,” he said.
Before the 2024 election, President Donald Trump won Ohio State with eight points each, winning 51% in 2016 and 53% in 2020.
In 2024, the Ohio Senate had 33 members. There are 26 Republicans and seven Democrats. Republicans made up almost 80% of the room. Ohio House had 99 members: 67 Republicans and 32 Democrats. Republicans accounted for almost 70% of the Chamber of Commerce.
Even when Trump won in 2024, he won 55% of the vote. This was less than 57% of Ohio, which chose legal weeds the previous year.
Now, Ohio legislators draw legislative and legislative maps. This has a direct impact on them and their colleagues. Voters had the opportunity to change it and remove politicians from the mapping process in Issue 1 of 2024, but failed.
Republican leaders now acknowledge that Message 1 to prevent Issue 1 from passing is confused by voters and is a “good strategy” to win, according to a report by Fremont News Messangar.
Who voted to change marijuana policies?
So far, only the Senate has voted.
Each Republican in attendance voted in favor, and all Democrats voted no.
Simply put, Republican Sens. Rob McColey, Theresa Governor, Michele Reynolds, Steve Huffman, Steve Wilson, and Louis (Bill) Blessings, Kyle Kohler, Susan Manchester, Nathan Manning, Terry Johnson, Shane Wilkin, Gilly Chirino, Tim Brenner, Roegner, Jane Timken, Brian Chavez, Al Landis, Sandy O’Brien and Al Cutrona all voted to change what voters chose.
Republican Sen. George Lang was not involved in the session, so he didn’t vote.
How do I know who represents me?
Click here to find district councillors.
I have more questions! What should I do?
Please contact me! Email morgan.trau@wews.com with the subject “Marijuana Questions.”
Follow Wews Statehouse Reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.
