A contentious bill proposing sweeping changes to the adult-use cannabis landscape in Ohio has stalled in the Legislature.
Many cannabis advocates have opposed controversial Senate Bill 56, which would impose a statewide recreational marijuana business license cap and eliminate a nascent social equity program.
The bill passed the state Senate earlier this session and was expected to be heard on the House floor on Wednesday.
But according to Cleveland TV station WEWS, the bill stalled thanks to a dispute between Republicans in the state House and Senate over:
- Decreasing the amount of THC allowed in adult-use products.
- Reducing the number of plants allowed under home cultivation from 12 to 6.
- Stripping marijuana tax revenue from localities that allow retail.
The tax question appears to be the main sticking point, lawmakers told WEWS.
“To my surprise, there was a whole new set of issues, additional issues, which were raised Monday night by the Senate regarding what we were trying to do,” House Speaker Matt Huffman told the TV station.
Lawmakers have been working to tweak the voter-approved, adult-use since it passed in November 2023.
SB 56 would:
- Limit the amount of THC allowed in flower to 35% and concentrates to 70%.
- Eliminate provisions for the state to issue up to 90 retail and cultivation licenses “with preference provided to applicants who have been certified as cannabis social equity” applicants.
- Forbid consumption of cannabis in public.
- Allow landlords to ban cannabis consumption in rental housing.
- Implement a statewide license cap of 350 adult-use stores.
