COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite overwhelming voter support for recreational marijuana legalization in Ohio, GOP lawmakers and local officials are making moves to restrict access and tighten regulations on cannabis. The state, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, has seen nearly $200 million in adult-use cannabis sales in just four months, according to the Department of Cannabis Control. However, new proposals from Republican legislators and city governments threaten to curb the industry’s growth and reduce consumer options.
In December 2023, the Ohio Senate passed a controversial bill aimed at rolling back key provisions of the legalization effort. The bill seeks to reduce allowable THC levels, raise prices, and impose stricter limitations on cannabis products, including banning most vapes and slashing home-growing limits from 12 plants to six. These changes, if enacted, would significantly alter what voters approved just a year ago.
Chillicothe Considers Local Moratorium on Dispensaries
In Chillicothe, city leaders are considering a temporary moratorium on new cannabis dispensaries. The measure, titled “An Ordinance to impose a moratorium on the location of Adult Cannabis Operators within the City of Chillicothe,” will be up for a second read at tonight’s city council meeting.
If approved, the moratorium would prevent new dispensaries from opening in Chillicothe for up to a year. However, city officials suggest the pause could end much sooner. Under Ohio law, municipalities can “opt-out” of allowing dispensaries within their borders, and Chillicothe is leveraging this provision to slow the expansion of marijuana businesses.
This local measure reflects broader tensions as Ohio grapples with implementing Issue 2, the voter-approved law that legalized recreational cannabis. Supporters of the moratorium argue it gives the city time to assess the impact of dispensaries, while critics see it as a thinly veiled attempt to limit access to legal cannabis.
Statewide Crackdown on Hemp Products
Adding to the pushback against cannabis, Republican lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 326, targeting hemp-derived products. The bill, introduced by Senator Stephen Huffman, seeks to ban intoxicating hemp items, including those containing delta-8 THC, a popular alternative to marijuana. Under the proposed legislation, hemp products with more than 0.5 milligrams of delta-9 THC per serving or 2 milligrams per package would be illegal, effectively removing many products from shelves.
While proponents of the bill frame it as a public safety measure, opponents argue it undermines the state’s legal cannabis market and penalizes responsible businesses. Critics say the bill is part of a broader conservative effort to roll back marijuana legalization, despite strong public support.
Public Backlash Against Restrictions
These proposed restrictions are sparking significant debate. Advocates for the cannabis and hemp industries argue that these measures not only ignore the will of the voters but also threaten to stifle a growing market that has already contributed millions to Ohio’s economy. With both state and local governments seeking to impose tighter controls, Ohio’s cannabis future hangs in the balance, highlighting the ongoing clash between evolving public opinion and conservative policymaking.