Ohio Revisits Marijuana Laws as House, Senate Differ

Ohio's recreational marijuana laws, legalized in November 2023, are facing potential changes as the state's House and Senate propose different amendments. The House bill, introduced by Rep. Brian Stewart, maintains the voter-approved plant limits and tax rate, allowing 12 plants per household and a 10% marijuana tax. It also permits marijuana consumption on residential properties and sharing of home-grown cannabis, diverging from the Senate's more restrictive measures. The Senate's version aims to cut home grow limits, restrict outdoor use, and ban sharing, and they have proposed increasing the marijuana tax to 15%, contrary to the House's and Governor Mike DeWine's differing tax proposals. Both proposals cap the number of dispensaries at 350 and aim to reduce THC levels in marijuana extracts. Lawmakers must reach a consensus for any changes to take effect, keeping in mind that the law passed as a statute, allowing legislative modifications.