LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Republicans in the Ohio Senate are considering a bill that would change the law for adult marijuana sales in the state. The bill would increase the sales tax on marijuana products at state-approved dispensaries from 10% to 15%. It would also reduce the number of plants households can grow from 12 to six and limit the number of dispensaries a single company can own to eight.
The Ohio Senate passed a reform bill on adult marijuana sales last year, but the Ohio House did not pass its version, requiring the legislation to be reintroduced in the new General Assembly in January.
“I think that the Senate bill that is written is a really good start to ensuring that we put a lot of guardrails around the system, because there's a lot of communities that don't want to see marijuana dispensaries inside of them, and I think that we need to also examine what's happening with the tax dollars coming in from these sales and making sure that we're putting that to good use. So I think that we have a great proposal in front of the Senate, and I look forward to its passage,” said Sen. Susan Manchester (R-Ohio), 12th District state senator.
Opponents of the bill say it goes against what voters approved in 2023. Sales for those 21 and older began in August 2024. The Ohio House and Gov. Mike DeWine have also proposed changes to Ohio’s adult marijuana law.
