Ohio House Proposes Marijuana Legislation with Fewer Restrictions
The Ohio House has introduced a rival bill to the Senate’s restrictive marijuana reform, with a more lenient approach. The bill, H.B. 160, would regulate marijuana access while respecting the will of the voters who passed Issue 2 in 2023.
The current law allows individuals 21 and older to smoke, vape, and ingest marijuana, with a limit of six plants per person and 12 plants per household. The law also allows for the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, with a 10% tax rate.
The House bill maintains the same limits on possession and home growing, but reduces the THC content in products from 90% to 70%. Unlike the Senate’s version, it does not impose a limit on the number of milligrams of THC per package.
The bill also allows for more opportunities for public smoking, including outside on private property, and does not restrict the number of dispensaries. However, it does limit the number of dispensaries to 350, the same as the Senate’s version.
The House bill also addresses delta-8, a type of low-level marijuana, and imposes stricter regulations on its sale. It would be sold with a THC concentration level of 0.03%, and would be capped at two milligrams of total THC per package.
The bill would also change the allocation of tax revenue, directing it directly into the marijuana receipts fund, which would be managed by the state treasurer’s office. Local governments with dispensaries would receive 20% of sales for five years, with the remaining revenue going into the state’s general revenue fund.
When asked about the concerns of voters who feel that the bill goes against the will of the voters who passed Issue 2, Finance Chair Brian Stewart said that the bill respects the core aspects of the initiative, including the legalization of marijuana, the 10% tax rate, and the ability to grow it at home. He emphasized that the democratic process allows for revisions and fine-tuning of laws, and that the bill makes only minor changes to the original initiative.
The House bill is a more lenient approach to marijuana reform compared to the Senate’s version, which has faced backlash for its restrictive measures. The bill is now awaiting further consideration in the House.
