Senate committee opens debate on broad revisions to Ohio marijuana law, including tax, homegrow and public‑use limits

The Ohio Senate General Government Committee on Oct. 12 held the first hearing on Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Senator Steve Huffman, a broad revision of the statute enacted by voter initiative (Issue 2) that governs adult‑use and medical marijuana in Ohio. The sponsor and multiple proponents described the bill as aimed at public safety, regulatory consistency and clearer employer and private‑property protections.

Senator Steve Huffman, the bill’s sponsor, said Senate Bill 56 would merge Ohio’s medical and adult‑use programs under the Division of Cannabis Control established after Issue 2, streamline licensing and testing standards, and update packaging and advertising rules to better protect children. "In short, this bill is about government efficiency, consumer and child safety, and maintaining access to voter approval, adult use marijuana," Huffman said.

The bill would, as introduced, increase the excise tax on adult‑use marijuana from 10% to 15% and direct revenue to the state’s General Revenue Fund rather than the distribution set out in Issue 2. Huffman said one reason to route revenue to the General Revenue Fund…