Ohio Senators propose ban on home growing Marijuana in a desperate final attempt to amend Issue 2

On Monday in a last ditch effort, Ohio Senators proposed modifications to the state’s Issue 2 legal marijuana law, which was approved by voters on Election Day. The approved law permitted the purchase and use of recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, allowed limited home cultivation, and outlined tax allocation from sales. The proposed changes, presented by Ohio Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, during a Senate committee hearing, include:

1. Ban on Home Cultivation: Voters had initially approved the cultivation of six marijuana plants per individual, with a household limit of 12. The proposed change seeks to ban homegrown marijuana.
2. Tax Adjustments: The proposal suggests increasing taxes and directing the revenue to the state’s general fund, law enforcement training, marijuana substance abuse treatment and prevention, and safe driver training.
3. Allocation Changes: The proposal eliminates voter-approved funds for jurisdictions with marijuana businesses and assistance to disadvantaged and minority marijuana business owners.
4. Potency and Possession Limits: It suggests decreasing the potency of legal marijuana and limiting possession to one ounce of plant material and 5 grams of extracts.
5. Restrictions on Use: The proposed changes aim to ban smoking marijuana in public and vehicles, allowing it only in private residences and permitting landlords to enforce bans. Employers would have the authority to establish drug-free workplace policies and terminate employees for violating them.
6. Dispensary Limits: The proposal seeks to limit the total number of dispensaries to 230, down from the initially approved 350.

Proponents of the changes argue that they make Issue 2 less risky for Ohioans and less self-serving to the industry. However, critics, including Scott Milburn, a spokesperson for the campaign against Issue 2, claim that the proposal undermines crucial provisions such as home cultivation and social equity. Tom Haren, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, emphasizes that the proposed changes go against the voters’ intentions, particularly regarding taxation and the elimination of home cultivation.

The proposed bill would increase the marijuana excise tax, generating additional annual revenue, with the state’s general revenue fund receiving the majority of the funds. However, dissenting voices, such as Sen. William P. Demora, D-Columbus, argue that the proposed changes deviate from the voters’ intent, criticizing the elimination of home cultivation and the perceived high taxes.