COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate passed revisions to the state's legalization of recreational marijuana before Issue 2 officially became law on Thursday -- but there's currently nowhere for Ohioans to legally buy it just yet.
During a Senate General Government Committee meeting on Wednesday, several important points were agreed upon regarding the new marijuana law:
- Homegrown marijuana will be allowed at six plants per household, down from Issue 2 levels of 12 per household.
- Possession limits that were originally spelled out in Issue 2 will not be changed: 2.5 ounces for plants and 15 grams extracts.
- THC content limit for plant material will return to Issue 2 level of 35%.
- Anyone 21 years of age or older can purchase at current marijuana dispensaries once bill takes effect. Issue 2 did not allow existing dispensaries to start selling until nine months after the law takes effect.
- Automatic expungements for any conviction involving 2.5 ounces and below upon application to court.
- Proceeds from recreational pot sales will be used for legal representation for those people seeking expungements.
- Increase the approved tax on sale of marijuana products from 10% to 15%, but remove the proposed 15% extra tax on cultivators.
The changes were unanimously passed by the committee, then cleared the full Senate by a 28-2 vote.
Despite the bill clearing the Senate floor, the Republican-majority House -- which leans more in favor of overall recreational marijuana legalization than the Senate -- still has to agree to the many changes. GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, who has supported going along with at least the basics approved by voters, must also sign off on them.
As the bill headed to the Senate floor on Wednesday evening, DeWine held a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse and appeared to endorse the proposed changes.
"The bill, while respecting the will of the voters, deals with the practical challenges of implementing its program and protects -- as best we can -- our children, our families, and those who don't want to be exposed to marijuana at all," DeWine stated.
The governor also looked ahead to what will happen on Thursday before Issue 2 became law.
“While it will be legal for Ohio citizens to possess marijuana, there will be no place for them to legally buy it. This bill deals with this."
The revised bill comes amid disagreement among Senate and House GOP members regarding what specific changes to make following the passage of Issue 2 by Ohio voters.
On Tuesday, state Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) introduced House Bill 354, which he says mostly aligns with the will of Ohioans when they passed Issue 2 in November with 57% of the vote.
"We've worked with a lot of members, a lot of folks in the industry, a lot of supporters, and a lot of opponents over the last few year," Callendar said. "And what [HB 354] is is a synthesis of all of those opinions, trying to take into account all the different positions on the issue while very much respecting the will of the voters."