Ohio’s GOP lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation that would significantly roll back Ohio’s new adult-use program that voters approved by a wide margin in November 2023.
The passage of Issue 2 in November of 2023 was a major victory for the cannabis industry in the Buckeye state. More than 2 million “Yes” votes resulted in a 57% in-favor passage of the bill.
Now, it’s being threatened with recent legislation.
On Feb. 26, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 56, which was introduced by Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City).
SB 56 seeks to:
- Reduce home grow from 12 plants to 6, and prohibit sharing home-grown cannabis
- Eliminate the social equity and jobs program and instead push those tax dollars to the general revenue fund
- Prohibit public consumption
- Reduce potency limits of extracted products from 90% to 70%
- Caps the number of state dispensaries at 350
- Eliminate the Level III cultivation licenses
Among other restrictions and rollbacks.
The bill now moves onto the GOP-controlled House, where Senator Huffman’s cousin, Rep. Matt Huffman of Lima, serves as the Republican Ohio House Speaker and has been publicly vocal in opposition to adult-use cannabis
Read more of Beard Bros Pharms SB 56 coverage here.
Let’s Talk About It: Don’t Miss Our Webinar On Ohio’s SB 56
In partnership with the Beard Bros Pharms Media Network, the Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit (OCHBS) is hosting an informational webinar on Friday, March 7 at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT to with industry experts and leaders discuss SB 56, its potential impact to the Ohio market, and how you can make your voice heard ahead of Lobby Days on March 20.
Check out the webinar here at Beard Bros Media Network YouTube or at the Beard Bros Pharms LinkedIn page.
Moderator:
Lenny Berry, Founder of OCHBS
Speakers:
Fadi Boumitri, CEO of Ascension BioMedical
Jim Ickes, Attorney at Zuber Lawler
Emilie Kelleher, VP at Beneleaves
Ariane Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of Manuvo Group
