A push to overturn recent changes to Ohio’s recreational marijuana laws is gaining momentum, with organizers now authorized to begin collecting signatures for a November ballot initiative. The effort, spearheaded by Ohioans for Cannabis Choice, aims to repeal Senate Bill 56, legislation signed into law on , which significantly alters the state’s voter-approved marijuana framework.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost approved the summary language for the referendum petition on , following an initial rejection due to what he termed “omissions and misstatements.” The revised petition has now been certified, allowing Ohioans for Cannabis Choice to commence signature gathering. Yost, however, cautioned that his certification should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the petition’s enforceability or constitutionality.
The move comes after Ohio voters approved the legalization of marijuana in , with recreational sales commencing in . Sales figures for exceeded $836 million, demonstrating the rapid growth of the legal cannabis market in the state.
Senate Bill 56 introduces several key changes, including reductions in THC levels for marijuana extracts – capping them at 70%, down from a previous maximum of 90% – and limiting THC content in flower to 35%. The law also prohibits smoking marijuana in most public places. It criminalizes the possession of marijuana outside of its original packaging and prohibits bringing legally purchased marijuana across state lines into Ohio. Drivers are now required to store marijuana in the trunk of their vehicles.
The legislation has sparked opposition from within the cannabis industry itself. While Ohioans for Cannabis Choice is leading the charge for a referendum, the Ohio Cannabis Coalition (OHCANN) has voiced its opposition, arguing that the bill “upholds the will of Ohio voters by preserving a safe, regulated adult-use cannabis market while closing dangerous loopholes.” David Bowling, OHCANN’s Executive Director, stated the bill addresses concerns about untested hemp products and out-of-state marijuana flooding Ohio’s shelves.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the group responsible for the successful ballot initiative, also opposes the referendum effort. They characterize SB 56 as a “common sense refinement” of the original voter-approved measure, designed to protect public health.
However, advocates for smaller cannabis businesses and consumers are rallying against the new regulations. Wesley Bryant, owner of 420 Craft Beverage in Cleveland, described the legislation as “an attack on consumer rights,” arguing that the products targeted by the bill provide relief from stress, insomnia, and even addiction. Joey Ellwood, a hemp farmer in Tuscarawas County, labeled the law an overreach of government intervention, asserting that voters should have the opportunity to reconsider the changes.
Klutch Cannabis, a dispensary chain operating in northeast Ohio, anticipates minimal disruption for existing customers. According to Pete Nischt, the company’s Vice President of Compliance and Communications, “The person who currently accesses the legal marijuana market in Ohio will not see any difference after the effective date [of SB 56].”
To qualify for the ballot, Ohioans for Cannabis Choice must collect signatures from at least 6% of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election – a total of 248,092 signatures. The group must also gather signatures representing 3% of the electorate in at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Organizers have 90 days from the date the governor submitted the bill to the Secretary of State to complete the signature collection process.
Ohio has a history of successful citizen-led referendums, most notably in , when voters overturned a law restricting collective bargaining rights. The outcome of this latest effort remains uncertain, but it underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the regulation of cannabis in the state and the tension between industry interests, consumer rights, and public health concerns.
