As lawmakers amend details of Substitute Senate Bill 56 (Sub. SB 56), a third hearing in the House Judiciary Committee last Wednesday brought more public advocacy pressure. We’ll break down what’s in the current version, what’s changed, and what advocates have to say about the future of legal weed in Ohio.
🔁 What’s Changed in Sub. SB 56?
Here’s a side-by-side of the major shifts of this bill since SB 56 was introduced on the Senate side back in January:
| 🔹 Category | 🔄 What’s Different Now | ⚠️ What Advocates Are Saying |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Revenue | 25% of adult-use cannabis taxes would now go to host communities—but only for 7 years. | This veers from what voters approved and communities who took the risk to host dispensaries now wouldn’t benefit fully. |
| Cannabis in Vehicles | Passengers using cannabis would face a minor misdemeanor, not a felony. | Still criminalizes non-driving passengers; doesn’t reflect real-world use patterns. |
| Workforce Access | Creates a universal work permit, streamlining employment access across license types. | Broadly supported, but could go further to protect employees who use cannabis safely off the clock. |
| Retail Expansion | Dispensaries could sell paraphernalia, offer delivery, and sell pre-rolls. | Welcomed by operators, but advocates say it won’t matter if access is blocked elsewhere. |
| THC Potency | The Division of Marijuana Control may allow THC levels above the original 70% cap. | Advocates argue this is a misunderstanding of cannabis concentrates and would make products less safe. |
Voices from June 4: Strong Opposition
Eric Whited, Ohio Cannabis Consumer Coalition (OCCC)
Eric Whited of the Ohio Cannabis Consumer Coalition spoke in opposition to the legislation, along with nearly a dozen other members of the 120+ member consumer-focused organization:
“The Ohio Cannabis Consumer Coalition is here to help this Committee and the Statehouse as a whole. We continue to arrive for testimony, rally support and share our experience. We are not asking you to ignore this industry and leave existing issues unaddressed.”
James Powers, Ohio Consumer Cannabis Coalition
Rev. James “Just A Veteran” Powers summed up the objections he has with the bill:
“Substitute Senate Bill 56 is a sweeping overreach that:
● Defies the will of Ohio voters,
● Violates constitutional law
● Fails basic public health and policy standards
● Further harms the people it claims to protect.
Respect the voters. Respect the facts. Let what the people planted, grow.”
Mary Jane Borden, Borden Advisors LLC
Mary Jane appealed to the committee with the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” She commended the legislature for revising many of the more restrictive measures of the bill but notes that it still needs work:
“Section 3796.99 – the sticking point in the other proposed bills – still creates violations where there should be none: for example, using cannabis outside your home.
I do, however, appreciate recognition of the outdoor venues. It appears that the minor misdemeanor penalty bears resemblance to Ohio’s long-standing decriminalization that began in 1975: $150 fine, no jail time. Sanctions do appear to escalate when sales get involved. Hence the harsher misdemeanor of the first degree: up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. It’s understandable that giving false information and creating false identification would already be illegal. Final thoughts: It’s my belief that Ohio voters want the subject matter on which they cast their ballots to be what is carved into Ohio law. If the premise is to go through a long process – signatures, campaign finance, counting procedures and more – the outcome that most would expect is a law that mirrors their vote. When the General Assembly veers from that premise, voters and their activists will speak out – loudly!”
Patrick Higgins, ACLU of Ohio
Spoke out forcefully against criminalizing tenant use and gutting social equity:
“Sub. SB 56 prohibits and criminalizes smoking, combustion, or vaporization of cannabis where a rental agreement prohibits it… Adding criminal sanctions for lease violations unnecessarily involves the State. Reinstating the Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Program… we encourage you not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Karen O’Keefe, Marijuana Policy Project
Called the bill a direct violation of what voters approved:
“It prohibits adults from sharing homegrown marijuana—even among friends in private homes. Drivers could face charges for carrying edibles or lotions unless locked in a trunk. That’s not legalization, that’s criminalization dressed up in regulation.”
Additional Voices: Proponents and Interested Parties
Proponent: Michelle R. Sullivan, Assistant Attorney General
Representing the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Sullivan testified in support of Sub. SB 56, particularly the provisions aimed at enforcing impaired driving laws and closing legal gray areas.
“The bill clarifies what constitutes prohibited conduct while operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana and strengthens law enforcement’s ability to keep impaired drivers off Ohio’s roads.”
She also emphasized the need for better tools and definitions for law enforcement:
“This legislation helps us better define the line between legal possession and illegal transportation… which will reduce confusion for both officers and citizens.”
Bevan Schneck – Ohio Municipal League (Interested Party)
Schneck spoke on behalf of municipalities, urging stable funding streams and local control. He flagged that while the 25% revenue share is a positive step, “communities need assurance that funding won’t disappear after sunset.”
What’s Next for Sub. SB 56?
The Judiciary Committee may report favorably, report with amendments, or table the bill. If approved, the bill moves to the full Ohio House for more readings, debate and possible vote. If passed by the House, it would advance to the Governor’s desk and become law.
To make your voice heard on the details of Sub. SB 56, reach out to your local Ohio representatives who would be voting on this measure in future sessions. Make sure they understand what they are voting for, and share a personal story of how the bill affects you. Find your area’s representatives and contact them by searching here.
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