Ohio legislature sends Gov. DeWine bill eroding cannabis legalization

The Ohio Senate voted 22-7 to approve the conference committee report on SB 56, which guts Ohio’s voter-enacted legalization law. If Gov. DeWine signs the bill into law, it will likely result in thousands of cannabis arrests each year. Sen. Bill DeMora (D) and Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D) spoke against re-criminalization and the gutting of non-discrimination protections, but their Republican colleagues voted to erode the people’s cannabis law. 

In November, the House of Representatives voted 52-34 for the conference committee report — with every Democrat voting against it. SB 56 now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. 

If SB 56 becomes law, it will re-criminalize: 

• possessing cannabis obtained from anywhere other than Ohio-licensed retailers and homegrown cannabis.
• having cannabis or paraphernalia in the passenger area of a vehicle if it has ever been opened.
• storing edibles anywhere other than “in the original packaging at all times when the products are not actively in use.”
• smoking or vaping cannabis in any place other than some homes and agricultural lands. (Hotel rooms and bar patios could not allow smoking or vaping, for example.) 

In Minnesota, a similar open container law has resulted in over 3,500 misdemeanor charges since the state legalized cannabis in the summer of 2023.

SB 56 also allows landlords to ban vaping in rental homes, and removes voter-enacted non-discrimination protections, which prevent people from losing their professional licenses, custody of their children, and medical care for responsible cannabis use.

In addition to eroding cannabis freedoms, SB 56 changes Ohio law related to intoxicating hemp products. Drinkable cannabinoid products with up to 5 milligrams of THC could be sold at liquor licensees, such as bars and grocery stores, until the end of December 2026.

Thank you to everyone who raised your voice to stand up for Issue 2. While we’re appalled by the legislature’s votes to erode cannabis freedoms, popular mobilization prevented the damage from being even worse.