To everyone’s surprise, the Ohio Senate passed, days before voter-approved cannabis legalization took effect, a revised bill that not only expands certain provisions, but also introduces significant changes compared to the legislation initially proposed.
An unexpected turnaround
The Ohio Senate is playing emotional elevators. After initially proposing to roll back key provisions of the voter-approved initiative, such as home cultivation and the one-year delay in adult-use sales, the Senate General Affairs Committee unanimously approved a revised bill, after the public outcry the GOP had caused.
According to Republican Senator Rob McColley, cited by MarijuanaMoment, negotiations that took place during the commission’s recess focused on eradicating the black market while maintaining access to information as approved by Ohioans. Commission Chairman Michael Rulli acknowledged the overwhelming public reaction, saying, “I think the people have spoken.”
The revised bill not only maintains the right to home cultivation – limited, however, to 6 plants per household instead of 12 – but also allows adults to purchase cannabis in existing dispensaries within 90 days, at instead of waiting a year.
A notable addition to the new bill is the provision for automatic expungement of certain prior cannabis convictions, a measure applauded by advocates. Governor Mike DeWine has pledged to respect the will of the people, emphasizing the importance of a well-functioning legalized market to counter the black market.
The amended bill also makes the following changes:
- The maximum number of cannabis stores that can be opened in the state is set at 350
- Existing medical cannabis dispensaries will be able to sell products for recreational use
- The authorized potency of extracts will be capped at 50% THC and that of flowers at 35%
- The excise tax on cannabis would be set at 15%, with additional taxes for local governments of up to 3%.
- $15 million in cannabis tax revenue to go toward expunging criminal records
Ohio thus becomes the 24th American state to legalize cannabis for adult use. The law will take effect within 90 days of Mr. DeWine’s signature.
