COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate is working on revisions to the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana as the clock continues to tick toward Issue 2 becoming law on Thursday.
During the Senate General Government Committee meeting on Wednesday, several important points were agreed upon:
- Homegrown marijuana will be allowed at Issue 2 level of six plants per person
- Possession limits that were originally spelled out in Issue 2 will not be changed: 2.5 ounces for plants and 15 grams extracts.
- THC content limit for plant material will return to Issue 2 level of 35%
- Anyone 21 years of age or older can purchase at current marijuana dispensaries once bill takes effect. Issue 2 did not allow existing dispensaries to start selling until nine months after the law takes effect.
- Automatic expungements for any conviction involving 2.5 ounces and below upon application to court
- Proceeds from recreational pot sales will be used for legal representation for those people seeking expungements
- Increase the approved tax on sale of marijuana products from 10% to 15%, but remove the proposed 15% extra tax on cultivators
The changes were unanimously passed by the committee, however they still have a long way to go.
If the bill clears the Senate floor, the Republican-majority House — which leans more in favor of overall recreational marijuana legalization than the Senate — would still have to agree to the many changes. GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, who has supported going along with at least the basics approved by voters, also must sign off on them.
The revised bill comes amid disagreement among Senate and House GOP members regarding what specific changes to make following the passage of Issue 2 by Ohio voters.
On Tuesday, state Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) introduced House Bill 354, which he says mostly aligns with the will of Ohioans when they passed Issue 2 in November with 57% of the vote.
“We’ve worked with a lot of members, a lot of folks in the industry, a lot of supporters, and a lot of opponents over the last few year,” Callendar said. “And what [HB 354] is is a synthesis of all of those opinions, trying to take into account all the different positions on the issue while very much respecting the will of the voters.”