The recent approval by the citizens of Ohio of theIssue 2a ballot measure legalizing cannabis for adults, is facing significant attempts at amendments, with Senate Republicans proposing sweeping changes just days before the law is scheduled to take effect Dec. 7.
The proposed revisions include banning home cultivation, increasing tax rates and reshuffling the distribution of tax revenues, which has sparked controversy and criticism from various quarters.
A regulation “emptied of its substance”
According to the Associated Press, Republicans in the Ohio Senate are seeking to ban home growing, in stark contrast to voter-approved provisions that allow individuals to grow up to six plants per household. Tom Haren, spokesperson for the Issue 2 campaign, Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol), criticizes this initiative: “Some members of the Ohio Senate propose to gut the most important provisions of Issue 2, including home cultivation and fairness social”.
The Senate’s proposed changes also include an increase in the tax rate on cannabis products from 10% to 15%, with cultivators taxed at the same rate. Additionally, the distribution of tax revenue would shift from support for local governments and social equity programs to general state funding, law enforcement training, drug treatment, and health training. safe driving. Senator Rob McColley justifies this measure by the desire to prevent revenues from mainly benefiting the cannabis industry.
Ohio Senate amendments expand possession limits, reducing the amount of cannabis an adult can legally possess. Additionally, legal THC levels for cannabis plants and extracts would be lowered, impacting the potency of cannabis products. State Sen. Bill DeMora, a Democrat, is critical of the changes, saying they go against the intent of voters who supported Issue 2.
The proposed changes emphasize efforts to protect children from exposure to marijuana, including child-safe packaging, restrictions on product appearance and banning advertising featuring scene of attractive characters for children. Public consumption rules are also addressed, allowing public consumption of non-smoking products, while smoking or vaping in public spaces would be restricted.
The amendments give employers the power to set rules for their employees’ cannabis use, allowing them to be fired if they fail to follow those rules. Scott Milburn, spokesperson for the Campaign against Issue 2, Protect Ohio Workers and Familiesargues that these changes make the measure “less dangerous for Ohioans and less selfish for the industry.”
As Ohio prepares to become the 24th US state to legalize recreational cannabis, the legislative changes proposed by Senate Republicans deviate from voters’ initial intent. The fate of these amendments remains uncertain, pending approval by the Senate, the House of Representatives and Governor Mike DeWine.
