Ohio Senate seeks sweeping changes to cannabis law

Republicans in the Ohio Senate introduced the Bill 56 (SB 56) in order to impose strict limits on the recreational cannabis legalized in 2024 in the state.

The bill, led by the Senator Steve Huffman, aims to amend key aspects of the law, including tax rates, limits on home cultivation, social equity programs, and consumption rules.

Tax Increases and Income Redistribution

One of the most notable changes in SB 56 is the proposed increase in cannabis taxes, which would increase from 10 to 15%.

The new bill would also redirect all revenue from the cannabis taxes to the general state fund, eliminating funding earmarked for substance abuse programs, municipalities with health clinics, and social equity initiatives.

The Republican President of the Senate , Rob McColley, defended the tax increase by stating : «The legalization of cannabis will result in very high costs for society.».

SB 56 also seeks to eliminate the social equity program and’employment in the cannabis sector, which had been established to help those disproportionately affected by the criminalization of cannabis. The program was designed to provide financial aid, technical assistance, and reduced licensing fees to marginalized communities. .

David Bowling, executive director of the’Ohio Cannabis Coalition, warned that dismantling the program would undermine the industry’s diversity and hinder economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

Limitations of Growing at Home 

Current Ohio law allows adults over the age of 21 to grow six cannabis plants per person, with a cap of 12 plants per household. Senate Bill 56 aims to reduce this limit to six plants per household, with Mr. Huffman stating that higher limits could encourage the black market.

In addition, the bill includes a provision prohibiting the sharing cannabis grown at home, which means that individuals would no longer be able to give or transfer their legally grown plants to others. Critics, including the Democratic Senator Casey Weinstein, argue that this level of restriction is inconsistent with the way other substances, such as alcohol, are regulated, where the brewers are allowed to share their products.

Consumption Restrictions

SB 56 also introduces new restrictions on places where cannabis is consumed While public consumption is already prohibited, the bill extends this ban to the outdoor use and vaping on private property, which raises concerns about individual freedoms. The Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) raised the alarm about this restriction, stating : «The only place where you can smoke is inside your home, p»on your private property, in your yard.".

In addition, the bill proposes to lower the THC content limit for extracts, by lowering the current limit from 90% to 70%, while maintaining the a cap of 35 for flower-based products.

Supporters of this change argue that it is necessary to regulate THC content, while opponents of the bill warn of the risk of pushing consumers toward unregulated products

Other Key Provisions

In addition to these major changes, SB 56 includes several other provisions

• caps the number of clinics at 350, with licenses being granted based on business plans and security measures
• Cannabis must be stored in the trunk or on the back seat from vehicles, similar to the laws on open-container alcohol
• Strengthens packaging regulations in order to prevent products from appealing to children, by banning gummies shaped like fruits or cartoon characters
• Does not address the issue of erasing the convictions previous related to cannabis, a key demand of many human rights advocates.

Although SB 56 has the support of Ohio’s Republican leaders, it faces fierce opposition from Democratic lawmakers, cannabis industry leaders, and advocacy groups. Its critics argue that many of its provisions run counter to the will of Ohio’s 57% voters. who approved Issue 2 in November 2023.

«We want to make sure this bill doesn't jeopardize businesses in the state,» said David Bowling. «Introducing major changes at this stage could destabilize the market »and create uncertainty for businesses, workers, and consumers."