Ohio Voters Approve Recreational Marijuana, But Local Communities Take a Different Approach
In November 2023, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved Issue 2, legalizing the use of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older. However, despite this statewide approval, many local communities in Ohio have either banned or placed a moratorium on cannabis businesses.
According to data from the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University, over 118 municipalities in Ohio have banned or temporarily banned the commercial cultivation, processing, and dispensing of adult-use recreational cannabis. This is in contrast to the state’s overall approval of recreational marijuana.
Dexter Ridgway, a research associate at the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center of the Moritz College of Law, notes that it’s unclear what voters were specifically voting for when they approved Issue 2. “Are they voting for retailers or to legally consume and possess it?” he asked.
Some communities, like Dayton, have allowed licensed cannabis businesses to operate, citing the economic benefits and job creation. Dayton’s senior economic development specialist, Keith Klein, noted that licensed marijuana businesses have invested millions of dollars in revitalizing underutilized buildings and created approximately 250 new jobs.
However, other communities, like Kettering, have banned recreational marijuana businesses, citing concerns about the impact on local businesses and the community. Kettering Mayor Peggy Lehner stated that the city did not feel that the best use of its limited land and real estate was a dispensary, and that there were already dispensaries available in nearby Beavercreek and Dayton.
The state is expected to start allocating additional licenses this summer, but it’s unclear how many will be released. Additionally, proposed changes in the Ohio General Assembly, including increasing the excise tax and capping the number of home-grow plants, could impact the industry.
Opponents of the proposed changes argue that the tax incentive was a major factor in why municipalities allowed cannabis businesses, and that increasing the excise tax could drive customers to states with lower tax rates or to the illicit market.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how local communities will approach the issue of recreational marijuana. While some communities are embracing the industry, others are taking a more cautious approach, and it’s unclear what the future holds for cannabis businesses in Ohio.
