COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Newly introduced legislation by the Ohio Senate is proposing modifications to rules for marijuana home grow and adult-use cannabis in Ohio.
Senate Republicans have introduced new legislation that proposes some reforms to the recreational marijuana law that was approved by voters in November.
Since late last year, adults 21 and older have been able to consume and grow marijuana in their homes.
Medical dispensaries have also been preparing for the start of recreational marijuana sales to begin. In the next couple of weeks, it is expected that regulators will finalize the license application process for existing medical marijuana businesses.
Senate Bill 278 would also create new regulations for delta-8.
Since November, Governor Mike DeWine has urged Ohio lawmakers to clarify the rules for recreational marijuana use and also crack down on delta-8.
“Senate Bill 278 is not intended to circumvent the will of the people who voted for Issue 2. It is however, designed to make sure there are clarifications and no ambiguity as it relates to how it should be exercised,” Senator Kirk Schuring, who is sponsoring the bill, said. “Bottom line it is about putting people first and patients first and having good policy.”
Here’s what you should know about Senate Bill 278:
- Any Ohioans who grow marijuana at home would have to file an affidavit with the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) that would confirm they would not sell their product to the public. The DCC shall adopt rules setting forth a schedule of civil penalties for those who violate the home grow rules.
- According to the newly introduced legislation, the illegal cultivation of marijuana at a residence could face a misdemeanor for a first offense.
Pro-marijuana Ohioans told ABC 6 it’s the proposals regarding home grow within the legislation that they have issues with.
“To allow people to vote for something and then try to redact or overregulate what we voted for is a blatant violation of our fourth amendment,” Cannabis Safety First Founder Tim Johnson said. “People that grow at home still visit dispensaries and respect their business. But if I am a home grower and you want me to register with the state, what that tells me is that you want to track me. You want to walk into my home and see what I am doing? You don’t do that for alcohol, you don’t do that for tobacco, and you don’t do that for firearms, so why cannabis?”
- Marijuana businesses would also be able to take advantage of tax deductions to supplement business costs like rent and insurance.
- Marijuana users would be not allowed to smoke, vaporize, or use any other combustible adult-use cannabis product in any public place where smoking tobacco is already prohibited.
- Adult-use hemp products containing at least 2.5 milligrams of THC could only be purchased by people who are 21 and older.
