Ohio Lawmakers Delay Marijuana Reform Bill Until After Summer Break
Ohio lawmakers have put the brakes on marijuana reform legislation, citing a need to address outstanding issues and prioritize other pressing matters. The Ohio House Judiciary Committee had been expected to vote on Senate Bill 56, which aims to reduce the THC levels in adult-use marijuana extracts, limit the number of active dispensaries, and prohibit smoking in most public places.
However, the bill was removed from the committee agenda for the second week in a row, and a meeting scheduled for this week was canceled. State Representative Brian Stewart, a Republican, said the lawmakers will “push pause” on the bill and revisit it after their summer break.
The delay is attributed to the Senate’s concerns about the bill, which include issues related to intoxicating hemp products. The Senate had raised over a dozen issues with the bill, which has led to a stalemate. Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, a Republican, said the lawmakers will not rush to pass the bill at the expense of other priorities, including the state’s two-year operating budget.
The budget is expected to be completed soon, and lawmakers will then take their summer break. The marijuana reform bill will likely be revisited in the fall. In the meantime, Ohioans who support the legalization of recreational marijuana are left waiting for progress.
The bill has undergone significant changes since its introduction, including the addition of regulations for intoxicating hemp products. The Ohio Department of Commerce would regulate these products, which could be sold in licensed dispensaries, grocery stores, and other retailers.
Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the safety of intoxicating hemp products, particularly for children. However, advocates for the hemp industry argue that the average age of customers is 40 years old and that the industry is not geared towards children.
The delay in the marijuana reform bill has left many wondering what the future holds for Ohio’s cannabis industry. While the bill’s sponsors had hoped to make progress this session, it seems that lawmakers will need to revisit the issue in the fall.
