Ohio’s cannabis community held on to their seats today, waiting to hear what the Ohio Legislature plans to do with the new adult-use cannabis law that goes into effect tomorrow. A meeting that should have taken place at 11 am this morning, just wrapped up in the early evening. It was a day full of suspense as everyone waited to hear the news whether Sub. HB86 would pass, be amended, or be voted down.
A Late Start and Proposed Changes
The meeting started late, with Senator Rulli announcing a recess until the call of the Chair. The legislators did not return until 3:54 pm when they made some announcements. It began with Senator McColley stating, “We heard you regarding the number of changes that were included [in the bill].” He goes on to list what they changed in Sub.HB86, after listening to testimonies, phone calls, and emails all week. The changes that were made were:
- Possession limits will remain at 2.5oz for plant material, 15g for extracts
- The THC content limit for plant material will be set at 35%
- The THC content limit for cannabis extract remains at 50%
- A total of 6 plants per HOUSEHOLD
- A total of 350 dispensaries for the State
- You will be able to purchase legal cannabis from a dispensary 90 days after the passage of this bill
- Automatic expungement will be offered to those with simple possession charges of 2.5oz or less
- There will be $15 million annual fund put toward funding automatic expungements and legal aid
*Other funds go towards:
- 9-8-8 Suicide Hotline
- Substance abuse treatment programs
- Safe driving initiatives
- Drug task forces
- Program Operations
- Poison control centers
- Money to help with law enforcement training
- Money to help overcrowded jails
- Allow local government to levy additional taxes on top of the marijuana excise tax
- The excise tax will be at 15%
- No more excise tax on cultivators
After Senator McColley’s announcement, the committee was at ease. The legislators returned for comment and a vote on the bill at 4:27 pm. Senator Rulli began by acknowledging how many Ohioans reached out throughout the week, stating that they received hundreds of emails and thousands of calls.
“The illicit market needs to be destroyed and we need to ensure that all cannabis is sold legally so our children can be safe…I think the people have spoken” – Senator Michael A. Rulli
The floor was then opened up for questions and statements by the legislators. Here is a summary of what was said:
Senator Antonio – “This is a very serious moment for Ohio”, “We acknowledge the will of the voters”, “I do not have a vote in this committee but I whole-heartedly support the work that we did and the final product we have before us”
Senator DeMora – “I’ve been fighting for what the voters wanted; I voted for Issue 2 on election day”, “We got a lot that the voters wanted”, “Expungement was not a part of Issue 2 but we fought for it”, “Issue 2 did not have anything for funding a suicide prevention hotlines”, “We are fully funding the poison control hotlines”, “They came and asked us to make this bill better and I think it is certainly much better than it was on Monday and I intend to vote for it”
Senator Huffman – “I want to thank the chairman for his due process”, “I don’t think it’s perfect but that’s why it’s in the revised code and not the constitution”
Senator Rulli – “The people spoke and they got what they wanted but let’s not forget that smoking weed while driving is still illegal”, “Are there any objections? Seeing none, the substitute bill is accepted”
Senator McColley then referred the bill to continue to the Rules and Reference Committee.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously.
Dewine Holds Press Conference
At 5 p.m., Governor DeWine held a press conference to discuss the legislation at hand. He began, “The day after the recent election, I said that of course, we accepted the will of the people.” He goes on to talk about how important it is to protect children and families and that the current version of this bill does the job well. The Governor seems equally as concerned about the illicit market growing without regulations in place as some of yesterday’s testimonies and has urged the House to hurry up and pass the bill so he can sign it. “I urge both houses to pass this bill right away and to send it to me for my signature,” he said.
What happens next?
Gov. Dewine was asked during the press conference if the full Senate would vote before tonight. He said if it’s tomorrow, that’s okay. “What we don’t want is for this to go on day after day.” At midnight tonight, portions of the adult-use cannabis law go into effect.
Follow MedicateOH for updates.
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