Local

Questions linger for Ohio’s cannabis legalization law

By Nadia Ramlagan Mahoning Matters
A 2023 poll by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation found 68% of Republican voters likely to cast a ballot in a 2024 Republican presidential primary support ending the federal prohibition on cannabis.
A 2023 poll by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation found 68% of Republican voters likely to cast a ballot in a 2024 Republican presidential primary support ending the federal prohibition on cannabis. Adobe Stock

After a statewide vote on Issue Two to make recreational cannabis legal in Ohio, experts said confusion remains as lawmakers attempt to implement stricter regulations.

House Bill 86 would restrict marijuana use to private residences, limit homegrown plants to six per household, and increase the plant’s excise tax from 10% to 15%.

Tom Haren, spokesperson for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol campaign, said it is critical states have the ability to modify regulations in a relatively new landscape of cannabis legalization but he believes curbing adult use laws could have economic impacts.

”Our regulations can grow along with the industry,” Haren acknowledged. “What we certainly didn’t want was for the industry and Issue Two to be kneecapped before it has a chance to even be implemented.”

Ohio regulators are expected to approve licenses for dispensaries beginning next year.

Until then, the sale and purchase of cannabis in the state remains illegal.

Addressing cannabis possession as a crime

Rep. Juanita Brent, D-Cleveland, said policymakers should work toward solutions for addressing how criminalizing cannabis possession has affected communities of color, including expungement of some criminal records.

”How are we going to deal with our criminal justice system about those who are currently still incarcerated, or who are not incarcerated who’ve been criminalized and received convictions for cannabis?” Brent asked.

Research shows despite an overall decline in cannabis-related arrests nationwide, stark disparities remain among racial groups, and have persisted in some states following legalization.

Read Next

CONNECT WITH US

WEB SITE ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com

DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/

FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters

TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters

YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814

INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters

SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW

This story was originally published December 23, 2023 at 8:52 AM.