Upcoming hearing on gutting Ohio’s cannabis legalization law

On Wednesday, June 4, the Ohio House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the latest version of SB 56, which would still significantly erode Ohio’s voter-enacted legalization law. The hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. in Room 313 of the State House. SB 56 is listed second on the agenda. 

The House Judiciary Committee replaced SB 56 with a substitute version, which brings it closer to HB 160 and removes some of the re-criminalization. HB 160 sponsor Brian Stewart said, “We understand there may be other amendments sought, but I think this is getting us to a single vehicle.” 

Rep. Jamie Callender — who has been a champion for cannabis legalization — outlined his areas of focus, which include re-criminalization, and said, “I’m going to ask that we accept that today with the very clear understanding that there will be some amendments drafted and considered [at] the next meeting.” 

As unfair as it is to have to grovel to keep voter-enacted freedoms, your voice is making a difference. When the Senate first proposed gutting the law before the ink was dry in late 2023, it proposed completely eliminating home grow, slashing possession limits, and hiking taxes. Its bill earlier this year would’ve banned smoking in backyards, along with any sharing. Those provisions have been pared down or removed. 

But there are still outrageous provisions left. The committee substitute of SB 56 would:

• Re-criminalize cannabis obtained from anywhere other than Ohio retailers and cannabis a person grew themself. 
• Ban the sharing of homegrown cannabis. It would be a felony to share over 20 grams of homegrown cannabis!
• Only allow sharing at the transferor’s own primary residence.
• Create a broad open container law that prohibits cannabis products (but not raw cannabis) that were ever opened in the passenger area of a vehicle. 
• Prohibit cannabis smoking and vaping in any place other than a home or agricultural land where the owner allows it, with the sole exception of outdoor music venues that allow it.
• Eliminate level 3 (small grower) licenses, remove provisions to license new growers and dispensaries, and cap retailers at 400. 
• Eliminate the cannabis social equity and jobs program, which includes assistance for those most impacted by the war on cannabis and funding for expungement.