COLUMBUS, Ohio —- Five months after Ohioans voted to legalize recreational marijuana, there’s still no green light for buyers. The reason? Republican lawmakers can’t seem to stop squabbling amongst themselves.
In November, voters approved the measure, but the legal purchase of marijuana is still a distant reality. The state isn’t slated to begin processing dispensary licenses until June, suggesting that stores may not open until late summer at the earliest.
Initially, the GOP-controlled Senate passed a bill allowing medical dispensaries to start selling recreational weed immediately. However, this bill was laden with restrictions, including bans on most vapes, lowered THC limits, and constraints on home cultivation. While Governor DeWine supported the move, the House of Representatives adamantly refused to engage with it.
This political power play has far-reaching implications beyond marijuana legalization. The incessant bickering has resulted in Ohio lawmakers passing the fewest bills in decades, with even Governor DeWine subtly remarking that inaction isn’t always undesirable.
Meanwhile, frustration mounts among voters and businesses eyeing potential profits from recreational sales. While some advocate for hastening store openings, others prefer a more deliberate approach, prioritizing a well-crafted system over one influenced by political agendas.
The bottom line remains uncertain: Ohioans may have voted in favor of legalizing weed, but whether they’ll see their desires realized hinges on whether their elected officials can set aside their differences long enough to govern effectively.
