Hello, Ohio cannabis community,
The newly legalized recreational marijuana program in Ohio is under threat. Matt Huffman, recently chosen as the next Speaker of the Ohio House, has made it clear that reversing cannabis legalization is a top priority. Huffman believes that voters were misinformed when they approved Issue 2 in November 2023, and he is working to make sweeping changes to the law—or possibly undo it altogether.
What’s Happening?
Huffman, a hardline conservative, has proposed several changes to Ohio’s recreational marijuana law, including:
Drastically limiting THC levels in cannabis products.
Modifying key provisions to impose stricter regulations.
Revisiting the law altogether to potentially make recreational cannabis illegal again.
Under the current law, adults 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of concentrates. Since sales began on August 6, 2024, the program has generated over $160 million in revenue and created numerous jobs. Despite these successes, Huffman argues that voters didn’t fully understand what they were approving.
Not Everyone Agrees
Huffman’s plans have sparked resistance, even within his own party. State Representative Ron Ferguson, a fellow Republican, has vowed to uphold the will of the voters. “Marijuana policy, for the most part, has been decided by the voters,” Ferguson said. “I support what they decided.”
This internal division in the Republican Party could shape the future of recreational cannabis in Ohio.
Why This Matters
Ohioans voted for legal cannabis, and any attempt to undo this decision undermines the democratic process. Beyond respecting the voters’ will, the cannabis program has brought significant economic benefits to the state. Rolling back legalization could stall economic progress, harm small businesses, and send the wrong message to Ohio’s voters.
Source:
https://www.ohiocannabislive.com/post/ohio-lawmakers-want-to-make-cannabis-illegal-again