John S.

Ohio House Bill 56, which seeks to amend provisions in the original Ohio Marijuana legalization law, has stalled due to a failure to reach agreement on proposed changes so it will now have to wait until after the Summer recess: (article courtesy of Marijuana Moment, the online blog) https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-gop-lawmakers-cant-agree-on-how-to-amend-marijuana-law-causing-planned-vote-to-be-canceled/? In other Cannabis news, the old High Times magazine enterprise has sold and is scheduled to resume publication in the weeks ahead. The magazine was an important part of the Cannabis culture back in the day featuring independent reviews about different strains and their effects as well as glorious photos of well cultivated plants bursting with flowers from different parts of the world.

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee took up Senate Bill 56 this past Wednesday seeking to soften some of the additional restrictions imposed by this Bill. Included is a provision to provide additional tax revenues to municipalities that host Dispensaries. A final version of this amended Bill is supposed to be on the Governor's desk by the end of June. For more information: (Courtesy of Marijuana Moment, the online Blog about Marijuana law reform) https://www.marijuanamoment.net/facing-public-pushback-ohio-house-committee-says-more-changes-are-coming-to-states-marijuana-overhaul-bill/?

Ohio GOP plans to pass Cannabis restrictions bill by the end of June Elements of House Bills 56 and 160 are being combined into a final version with pledges to get it passed by the end of June, 2025. From News 5 in Cleveland: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/politics/ohio-politics/ohio-gop-plans-to-pass-marijuana-restrictions-by-end-of-june The theory behind these changes appears to be if it's enjoyable, then it must be bad for you. On the other side, (courtesy of Marijuana Moment, a national blog about Cannabis news) The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control is increasing the amount of Cannabis that can be legally purchased in one day to the State's legal possession limit of 2.5 ounces, effective June 4, 2025. Article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-is-more-than-doubling-the-amount-of-marijuana-that-adults-can-legally-buy-per-day/?

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Wednesday about House Bill 160, a Republican sponsored bill that would roll back many of the provisions voters approved in the original Initiative No. 2 that legalized recreational Marijuana in 2024. Three parts of HB 160 many oppose include restricting where Marijuana can be consumed, (no sharing between individuals) lowering the THC (Delta 9) legal potency to a 70% maximum, and reducing and restricting how many plants can be grown at home by half, from 12 to 6. Other issues are in the bill such as eliminating Tax revenue sharing with the communities where dispensaries are located, eliminating Social equity programs, and capping the number of dispensaries statewide at 350. The full article courtesy of Marjuana Moment, the online blog about all issues Cannabis related: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-lawmakers-hear-testimony-against-marijuana-bill-that-critics-say-would-undermine-voter-approved-legalization-law/? If I understood it correctly, the proposed Bill will also restrict legislators' ability to amend Ohio's Marijuana laws in the future which seems disingenuous as well as mean spirited-a slap in the face for all of those who worked so hard to craft and pass Initiative No. 2. It's a blatant case of we know better what's good for you than you do, so we will make it impossible to change these negative revisions in the future whether you like it or not. The ACLU and leaders of communities set to have their dispensary revenue taxes curtailed are understandably unhappy with this new restrictive bill. The discrepancies between how Alcohol is treated under the law and Marijuana, were repeatedly pointed out at the hearing. Initiative No.2 specifically stated that Marijuana should be taxed and treated the same as Alcohol, but HB 160, doesn't.

There seems to be a glaring discrepancy between the way regulated Marijuana and "gas station stuff" are treated. The movement to regulate or ban "Intoxicating Hemp Products" is nationwide. Since Marijuana and Hemp are the same plant with one usually consisting of strains containing a higher THC content, logic would argue that both should be treated equally. The perceived public safety "threat" is from THC, the psychoactive ingredient in nearly all Cannabis plants. If all Cannabis plants contained zero percent THC, then it would not be regulated, period. Put another way, the government doesn't want you to get "high" and has spent billions in taxpayer dollars in a war making it illegal to be under the influence of THC. Of course, if it's the legal drug of alcohol, then feel free to drink yourself into a stupor, but please make sure you're of legal age. I won't argue against regulating "gas station stuff" because it is of unknown quality and purity. I'm sure dispensary owners would like the added business of Hemp/Delta 8 THC derivatives but with the burden of product testing, batch tracking, and regular inspections, it will surely cost considerably more for consumers. Buy the Gas Station Stuff while you can.

Some regulation over the sales of unregulated Hemp products has been needed for some time especially since the legal Marijuana market in Ohio is very strictly controlled and regulated. Hemp itself is typically a Cannabis plant grown for its fibers and other industrial uses and having a less than 3% THC content. Until now, there were no quality standards or safety protocols for these retail store Marijuana substitutes. Medical Marijuana and adult use recreational Marijuana are treated the same way as foods or medicines and are Quality control tested for pesticides, contaminants, weight, and THC content by professional certified testing labs. Plants are numbered and tracked from seed to sale. Forcing these retail substitutes to comply with the same regulations will make them more expensive and will cut into the profits retailers have made from selling these products until now. Still, regulating these products will help protect the consumer. However, I'm not aware of consumers generally being harmed by the unregulated Hemp products. Of course, the State will get it's cut from the Hemp products being sold at dispensaries. A lot of Bills tend to get stalled in the House, but I think SB 86 is likely to be passed and signed into law by the Governor.

First ever quasi-legal "Cloud Fest" Marijuana Festival takes place in Cincinnati on 4/20 Courtesy of Marijuana Moment and Station WLWT 5 NBC in Cincinnati, is this news article where adults paying between $30 and $100 for admittance could come into the festival site and were not barred from consuming Cannabis in the festival atmosphere. https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-division-of-cannabis-control-raises-questions-about-cincinnati-marijuana-festival/64532052 Had law enforcement officers chosen to, they could have cited and/or arrested attendees, but no mass arrests were made. Ohio's current Marijuana/Cannabis laws do not allow for outdoor public consumption of Cannabis, period. One can, however light up in one's own back yard. Other neighboring states, like Michigan, do have allowances for adult outdoor festivals where Marijuana can be openly and legally consumed. Other States allow for Cannabis lounges where patrons can legally use Cannabis without legal concerns. I personally don't think that Cannabis lounges and open Marijuana Festivals permitting on-site consumption will ever be allowed in Ohio until changes have been made in the Federal laws governing Cannabis. The Biden era move to reschedule Cannabis from a Schedule I (most harmful) drug status to a less restrictive Schedule III classification has stalled because of the DEA not facilitating the changes. Banking services are still not permitted for any Cannabis related businesses requiring risky all cash sales at dispensaries. Progress on the path towards full Federal legalization has been very slow and in very small increments. Mention is made in the article about the more restrictive but as not yet passed Cannabis bill in our State so legal Marijuana festivals here are probably pretty far off. Yesterday's Cincinnati Cloud Fest may be the only one of its kind or, hopefully, an encouraging early indication of things to come.

For those who aren't members of "Johnny's Ambassadors", Happy Easter Holiday which is also coinciding this year with the growing tradition of celebrating all things Cannabis related on April 20th (Sunday) or, as more commonly known, "420" day. Those neighboring states like Michigan having more relaxed Cannabis rules you can find roadside billboards advertising "420 Weekend" outdoor festivals where open Cannabis consumption is allowed, often in a Woodstock style festive setting. Unfortunately, Ohio is far more restrictive in allowing Cannabis use with no allowable outdoor settings. Therefore, 420 greetings to fellow Cannabis-friendly Ohioans but please remember to use it responsibly and do not smoke and drive or worse, smoke, drink, and drive. Have designated drivers who haven't smoked or drank if you travel to party. Have them light up when they return home. Be goodwill "Ambassadors" for Cannabis as responsible consumers instead of rolling on the sidewalks drunks. Be respectful towards non Cannabis consumers and show them that hard-working, law abiding people also use Cannabis. The old '70's Cheech and Chong negative Stoner stereotypes need to go away. On March 27, I made an infrequent visit to my local dispensary in Wintersville (Steubenville suburb) with my Med. card and found the place packed with people at 2 PM. The majority were non-medical recreational Cannabis buyers but I didn't see any out of state license plates in the large parking lot. I asked the "budtender" at the checkout if they had an unusually large crowd on that day and he said, no, that was an average number there on most days. I can only hope now that the politicians and legislators won't take steps to choke off this thriving new market. Give it plenty of room to grow and become better established before adding more taxes and restrictions as are pending in the State legislature right now. I wish Urban Ohio readers a safe and happy Easter/420 Holiday weekend.

Want to Become One of "Johnny's Ambassadors" on April 20? The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency is honoring 4/20 Day by recruiting Youth to saturate social media with anti-Cannabis messages on this particular day which has become a day of celebration for those who consider themselves part of the Cannabis community. (article courtesy of online Blog, Marijuana Moment) https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-promotes-anti-420-day-contest-for-young-people-to-flood-instagram-with-marijuana-warnings/? Now you can show your friends and neighbors how upright a person you are by posting anti-Cannabis Social Media messages on April 20. According to the article, there are monetary incentives for being an anti-Cannabis crusader: "Students would be eligible for a $25 Amazon gift card for a personal video, $35 for a group video and $50 for a “professionally produced educational video or skit with adult sponsor supervision.” What comes next, our own version of the Hitler Youth? I'm 100% behind not trying to entice minors to use Cannabis or any other drug, but is a Nixon era "War on Drugs" approach the best way of doing so? Comments, anyone?

Governor DeWine in an interview Sunday with Spectrum 1 News, stated his views about Cannabis, taxes collected from legal sales, and how he thinks they should be used. Among his well reasoned and thought out statements was this claim that frequent cannabis use “does to reduce your IQ three to seven points.” He also expressed concerns about excessive Marijuana/Cannabis THC potency and that taxes collected should primarily be used towards enhanced law enforcement, police training, and jails, rather than for social equity programs. The article from Marijuana Moment, the national online blog about news related to Marijuana/Cannabis: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohios-gop-governor-pushes-to-shift-marijuana-tax-revenue-to-support-police-and-jails/?

Ohio Communities With Dispensaries Upset About Marijuana Tax Revenue being Diverted From the national online Blog, Marijuana Moment, is an article about Ohio communities with dispensaries being upset about collected Marijuana tax revenue being diverted to the State budget. The 2023 voter approved Initiative Number 2 specifically allocated 36% of taxes collected from Marijuana sales to go to communities having dispensaries. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-localities-oppose-gop-backed-changes-to-voter-approved-marijuana-tax-revenue-allocations-new-report-finds/ This information came from a new study published by Ohio State University’s (OSU) Moritz College of Law representing 38 municipalities across the state. The study states that as of March 10, the state has collected $37.6 million in marijuana excise tax that hasn't been disbursed because of the pending legislative changes. Also among proposed changes, is to require "intoxicating" Hemp products to be sold only in licensed dispensaries and impose a 15% excise tax on these products. The Senate and House versions of the amended law still await Statehouse approval and signing by the Governor. Given the likely decrease in Federal dollars coming to the State in the months ahead, it's understandable why Marijuana excise tax revenue is highly coveted by State officials.

National Discussion about proposed changes to Ohio's Marijuana Laws This past Thursday, an online discussion about the pending legislative changes to Ohio's Marijuana laws was held with representatives from the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Drug Policy Alliance, and the Marijuana Policy Project. The GOP led effort in Ohio to amend the voter approved legalization law is gaining national attention because by many it is seen as yet another test of Democracy and a push-back against the will of Ohio voters. A condensed written summary is available from the Marijuana Moment blog: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-lawmakers-push-to-change-voter-passed-marijuana-law-would-curtail-consumer-rights-and-reinstitute-criminalization-advocates-say/? The slightly over one hour meeting was recorded Thursday and can also be viewed on YouTube:

There's an old saying that if somethin' ain't broke, then don't try to fix it. Preventing municipalities from receiving their due share of tax revenue from Marijuana sales is a money grab and a disincentive for municipalities to allow dispensaries within their corporate limits. The latter might be what their real goal is. What's broken here is the already agreed to distribution of tax revenue but that has nothing to do with existing law. It's also pretty exasperating to repeatedly see efforts to curtail THC percentage levels by those who have no direct knowledge about the effects and differences of THC. (Delta 9) The trite, "this isn't your Dad's (or Grandfather's) Marijuana...it's much more potent today." To that I say BULLs**t! Like alcohol, the effects from THC are more from the QUANTITY consumed than the THC percentage levels. Imagine if hard liquors were capped at 70 proof, would that have any effect on those who drink alcoholic beverages? If anything, they would tend to drink more , just like those places that tried or have watered down alcohol percentage levels in Beers. I don't think many could tell the difference between 70% THC (Delta 9) and 90% except to consume more for the same effect. Pot has the psychoactive effect of making the person quite aware of to what degree they are under the influence and far more will say "No thanks" once they reach a level they are comfortable with than those who will drink alcohol until they pass out. How any of these proposed changes to existing voter approved law are designed to "protect children and minors" isn't very clear except that politically the slogan sounds good. It also seems to be lost on those seeking these changes in law that the illicit market has for decades obeyed no laws so by making the legal market less attractive or more expensive, they are actually benefiting the illegal market. The goal should be to promote the new legal market in Ohio, lower product prices, and keep taxes reasonable to where there's little incentive for cartels and criminal gangs to engage in supplying and selling illicit Marijuana in our state.

That approach makes sense. I read today where the GOP controlled legislature in Florida is working to enact a bill that would make it more difficult for voters there to place voter initiatives on the State ballot. The vote to legalize recreational adult use Marijuana in Florida was approved by a majority of voters but it came with a 60% required approval threshold and it failed to reach that level. Now apparently, the plan is to make it more difficult to put voter initiatives on the ballot. Thankfully, that's Florida, not Ohio, but it's something to watch out for here. I do think invalidating non-voter approved changes to the proposed amended Ohio law (SB56), would thwart some of the unwanted changes presented in the bill. I think raising the taxes on Marijuana sales is inevitable because of the likely decline in Federal dollars coming to the State, but instead of doubling them from 10% to 20%, a more reasonable 15% would be better tolerated by consumers and voters. Curiously, I have yet to see any mention of raising taxes on alcoholic beverages which suggests a bias against Marijuana/Cannabis. Tobacco products are also set to have higher taxes.

The original Number 2 initiative (No. 1 was the Abortion access initiative) was very specific about terms and conditions, but the State legislature has the legal authority to amend the voter approved version, which is what the GOP driven Statehouse effort is trying to do right now. I think trying to submit a new voter initiative to restore and codify the original version would be harder because of what is already considered existing law in Ohio. A new initiative would have to seek amendments of the existing law with specific terms and conditions spelled out. Given the political climate locally and nationally, the political winds are too turbulent right now to bring a new voter initiative to the polls and confidently pass it.