Ingram Issues Statement Following Passage of Marijuana Overhaul Bill

Today, state Senator Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to accept conference committee changes to Senate Bill 56, which significantly changes the state’s adult-use cannabis program and directly undermines the will of Ohio voters, who established Ohio’s recreational marijuana industry by passing State Issue 2 in 2023. 

“I have been clear from the start that I will not support changes that override the will of Ohio voters,” said Ingram. “Ohioans expected reasonable adjustments to State Issue 2 — not broad changes that override what they approved. I will be watching closely to ensure the tax revenue from these sales is distributed responsibly to our municipalities, because tracking the money is essential for accountability.”

S.B. 56 drastically alters key provisions of the recreational marijuana law passed by voters in 2023 and re-criminalizes conduct voters chose to legalize. The bill will:

• Impose stricter limits on THC by reducing current allowable limits;
• Make it easier to characterize adult-to-adult transfers as illegal trafficking, thus restricting the ability to share cannabis with another adult;
• Give the Division of Cannabis Control the ability to make formerly legal paraphernalia criminal;
• Criminalize the possession and use of out-of-state cannabis, making lawful travelers newly subject to prosecution;
• Expand the authority for landlords to prohibit cannabis consumption and home cultivation;
• Roll back protections against adverse actions in housing, employment, and other areas; and
• Reduce the number of individuals who may have their records expunged for prior marijuana-possession offenses.

S.B. 56 now heads to the governor for his signature.