COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio lawmakers are working on making changes to the marijuana law voters passed in 2023.
Wednesday, the Ohio House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 56 and heard from more than 40 people, most in opposition to the bill.
“I think legislators, they can learn more, and I think that will help them make a better amendment to the bill that more people will respect and support,” said Anthony D. Riley with Ohio Cannabis Live.
The Senate passed SB56 back in February. Right now, it’s in a House committee. The bill would make a number of changes to Issue Two, which more than 57 percent of Ohio voters passed in 2023.
If passed, the legislation would ban smoking, combustion, and vaporization of marijuana everywhere outside a private residence, except when allowed at outdoor concert venues.
Carfagna said he supports that change.
“When you think of a lot of publicly accessible, large publicly accessible places, shopping malls, amusement parks, restaurants that come under private ownership, and we want to make sure that we are allowing them to ban the public use of cannabis on their premises,” Carfagna said.
He said he’s most interested in protecting employers in Ohio and private property rights through this bill.
“I think that what is proposed in the bill to basically ban the widespread public consumption of it is probably the fairest, best way to go,” he said.
If passed as is, the bill would also reduce the legal THC levels. Riley said that is not the right move.
The bill would also prohibit transporting marijuana in a car unless in its original, unopened package or in the truck. It would also eventually credit all revenue from the 10% marijuana excise tax to the state’s primary operating fund instead of funds used for social equity and job initiatives. For seven years starting in fiscal year 2026, it would credit 25% of the revenue to municipalities and townships that have at least one active dispensary.
“Ohioans overwhelmingly approved the legalization of marijuana a couple years ago,” said Gary Daniels with the ACLU of Ohio. “What they were not looking for is a bunch of additional and unnecessary restrictions relating to their ability to enjoy the results of Issue 2, but that’s exactly what we’ve been seeing from the legislature.”
Daniels said he wants lawmakers to keep in mind what Ohio voters passed.
During Wednesday’s hearing, a lawmaker said the committee would not vote on that because they’re still working on amendments to the bill.
The House Majority Press Secretary said Speaker Matt Huffman, who is the bill’s primary sponsor, continues to say he is committed to passing marijuana legislation before the end of June 2025.
Ohio lawmakers are working on making changes to the marijuana law voters passed in 2023. Read More
