Megan Henry of the Ohio Capital Journal wrote this story, which was published with Crain’s Cleveland Business permission.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws hosted a webinar last week about two bills that are trying to change Ohio’s marijuana laws.
Paul Armentano, NORML’s Deputy Director said: “Whether cannabis should be legalized or not is a very secondary question.” “The main issue should be the fact that elections do have consequences and their results matter.”
Armentano stated that “it’s not like this backlash is happening because Issue Two has had negative or detrimental consequences.” The law works perfectly, and Ohioans love it. The law is working as intended by the voters. Lawmakers try to interfere with it.
Cat Packer of Drug Policy Alliance, the director for drug markets and legal regulations, stated that these bills are dangerous to cannabis users.
If either bill passes, “there are so many reasons why a marijuana consumer in Ohio will be considered a criminal,” said Ms. Smith.
S.B. 56 would cut the number of Ohio’s home grow plants in half from 12 plants down to six, reduce the THC levels in adult-use marijuana extracts from a maximum of 90% down to a maximum of 70%, and require marijuana can only be used in a private residence.
Armentano believes that THC potency limits are just a band-aid solution to a bigger problem.
He stated that “voters don’t, on the whole, like potency limits for cannabis.” He said that removing these products would not eliminate the demand for them, but instead drive production to unregulated markets.
S.B. S.B. Bill 56 would only allow marijuana to be carried in the trunk of the vehicle when on the road and limit active dispensaries from 350 to just 35.
S.B. 56 was passed by the Ohio Senate last month. It would ban Ohioans from using marijuana that is not purchased at a licensed Ohio dispensary or grown in a consumer’s home. 56 last month, which would ban Ohioans from using marijuana that is not either from a licensed Ohio dispensary or cultivated at a consumer’s home — meaning it would be illegal for Ohioans to drive up to Michigan to buy marijuana and bring it back over state lines. House has not yet heard the bill.
Karen O’Keefe is director of Marijuana Policy Project’s state policies.
House Bill 160 would keep home grow and tax levels the same, but reduce THC levels and redirect most of the tax revenue to the state’s general fund.
The current tax revenue is divided up in several ways — 36% to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund, 36% to the host community cannabis fund, 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund and 3% to the Division of Cannabis Control and Tax Commissioner Fund.
Packer expressed concern that money would not be spent where the voters had decided it should.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget proposal would increase the tax on marijuana from 10% to 20%. Ohio House members are currently working on the Ohio budget which is due by July 1.
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