Ohio lawmakers unlikely to change marijuana law before break

It appears unlikely that Ohio lawmakers will make changes to the state’s recreational marijuana law before their summer break.

The state’s House Judiciary Committee was expected to vote on whether to advance Senate Bill 56, but for two consecutive weeks, the vote did not occur amid political infighting.

“We are going to push pause,” state Republican state Rep. Brian Stewart told the Ohio Capital Journal about the adult-use bill.

“We’re going to take the summer and come back and potentially take another crack at it.”

SB 56 would cut levels in recreational marijuana extracts from a maximum of 90% to 70%, limit the number of retailers to 400 and forbid smoking in most public places.

The measure also would allow only licensed marijuana stores to sell intoxicating hemp products that have been tested and comply with packaging, labeling and advertising requirements.

Grocery stores, carryout stores, bars and restaurants would be able to continue to sell hemp-derived THC beverages.

Two lawmakers voiced concern that the Legislature was even considering making changes to a law that Ohio voters approved in 2023. Adult-use sales subsequently began in August 2024.

“The people of Ohio spoke very clearly on this issue,” House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, a Democrat, said, according to the Capital Journal.

“They knew what they were voting on, and they voted to pass adult-use cannabis.”

Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan, also acknowledging the adult-use bill’s decisive victory at the polls, noted that lawmakers failed to propose changes to the measure or offer an alternative before it went to the voters.

“The voters filled the gap lawmakers left,” he said in response to comments made during a panel discussion at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.

“Now that the people have acted, our job should be to carry out their will – not override it.”