Ohio Residents Speak Out Against Proposed Marijuana Law Changes
A recent hearing in the Ohio House Judiciary Committee saw over 20 people express their opposition to House Bill 160, which aims to alter the state’s marijuana law. The bill, introduced by State Rep. Brian Stewart, would reduce the THC levels in marijuana extracts, limit the number of home-grown plants, and redirect most of the tax revenue.
Gary Daniels, the ACLU of Ohio’s legislative director, argued that the bill would “dismantle key parts” of the current law and “kneecap Issue 2,” which legalized recreational marijuana in Ohio in 2023. He also pointed out that the bill would make it difficult for people to purchase, use, transport, and sell marijuana in the state.
The bill would also reduce the maximum THC level in marijuana extracts from 90% to 70%, cap the number of dispensaries at 350, and reallocate most of the tax revenue to the state’s General Revenue Fund. Additionally, it would prohibit the use of marijuana in public spaces and offer expungement for prior convictions related to marijuana offenses.
Some lawmakers, such as State Rep. Jamie Callender, expressed support for the bill, saying it represented a “thoughtful” approach. However, many opponents argued that the bill’s restrictions would not be in line with how alcohol is regulated in the state.
Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, noted that the Issue 2 campaign was called “Regulate Cannabis Like Alcohol,” but the bill’s restrictions do not resemble how alcohol is regulated. She also pointed out that the bill would make it difficult for people to consume marijuana safely, as it would ban sharing at a friend’s house and limit where people could use it.
The bill has yet to be voted on, and opponents are concerned about its potential impact on the state’s marijuana industry. The Ohio Senate has also passed its own version of a bill, which would limit home grows to six plants and combine the state’s medical and recreational marijuana programs.
