The Ohio Senate wants to modify laws regarding medical marijuana, adult-use cannabis and hemp

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Newly introduced legislation in the Ohio Senate proposes modifications to rules regarding home cultivation of marijuana and adult-use marijuana in Ohio.

Senate Republicans have introduced new legislation that proposes some reforms to the recreational marijuana law that voters approved in November.

Since late last year, adults 21 and older have been able to consume and grow marijuana in their homes.

Medical clinics are also preparing to start selling recreational marijuana. Regulators are expected to finalize the licensing process for existing medical marijuana businesses in the next few weeks.

Senate Bill 278 would also create new regulations for delta-8.

Since November, Gov. Mike DeWine has been pushing for Ohio lawmakers to clarify rules for recreational marijuana use as well as address delta-8.

“Senate Bill 278 is not intended to circumvent the will of the people who voted for Issue 2. However, it is intended to provide clarification and lack of ambiguity regarding how it should be used,” Senator Kirk Schuring, who sponsored the bill , he said. “Bottom line, it’s about putting people first and patients first and having good policies.”

Here’s what you need to know about Senate Bill 278:

• Any Ohioan who grows marijuana at home would be required to file an affidavit with the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) confirming that they will not sell their product to the public. The DCC will adopt rules setting out a schedule of civil penalties for those violating home cultivation rules.
• According to the newly introduced regulations, illegal cultivation of marijuana in the place of residence may be considered a misdemeanor even for the first offense.

Ohio marijuana advocates told ABC 6 they have problems with home grow proposals in the legislation.

“Allowing people to vote on something and then trying to redact or overregulate what we voted for is a blatant violation of our Fourth Amendment,” said Tim Johnson, founder of Cannabis Safety First. “People who grow at home still visit dispensaries and respect the business they run. But if I’m a home grower and you want me to register with the state, that means you want to track me down. You want to come into my house and see what I’m doing? You don’t do it for alcohol, you don’t do it for tobacco and you don’t do it for firearms, so why marijuana?”

• Marijuana businesses will also be able to use tax breaks to supplement business costs such as rent and insurance.
• Marijuana users will not be able to smoke, vape or use other combustible cannabis products for adult use in public places where smoking tobacco is already prohibited.
• Adult-use cannabis products containing at least 2.5 milligrams of THC can only be purchased by people 21 years of age or older.