COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Republicans plan to pass recreational marijuana reform by the end of June. Both the House and Senate are working together to create restrictions, which have drawn criticism from legalized marijuana supporters around the state.
I have a running series of answering questions and concerns about legal weed. This story primarily focuses on the lawmakers and what their proposed end result could look like.
Earlier installments have focused on learning the basics of the law and then how to buy it. Then, I answered questions about where to partake and addressed employment concerns. My most recent stories focus on the latest restrictive proposal passed by the Ohio Senate and a fact check that also informed viewers on how to contact their lawmakers.
RELATED: Fact check: Ohio GOP claims legalizing marijuana increases crime. It doesn't, legal expert says.
First, let's break down the current law. If you are 21 years old or older, you can smoke, vape, and ingest marijuana. Individually, you can grow six plants, but you can grow up to 12 plants per household if you live with others.
What is the latest with marijuana?
Right now, House and Senate leaders are negotiating for multi-chamber-approved cannabis reform.
"Generally, trying to get to a place that more people support," House Finance Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said.
The lawmakers are trying to combine two bills: Senate Bill 56 and House Bill 160. Both make dozens of changes to cannabis access, but most notably, S.B. 56 limits THC content and reduces home growing to six plants, while H.B. 160 limits THC and keeps home growing the same.
For details about each proposal, click here for Senate version and here for House version.
When I asked if they had come to an agreement yet, Stewart told me to "stay tuned."
He added that he did like the House's substitute bill — one that addressed the "desire in the caucus to have low-dose drinks."
"I think that there are going to be some adjustments on the criminalization side that should hopefully address some of those concerns," Stewart said.
Why did they really move to change the law?
That answer depends on who you ask.
Senate GOP leaders have continued to say that the voters knew they wanted legal weed — but didn't know everything they were voting on.
Stewart and House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) echoed those claims. Click here to view our back-and-forth.
"It's obviously a complex issue growing out of the '23 initiative and with the growth of the THC, hemp and artificially created hemp products," he said.
Huffman said he wanted to deal with delta 8, low-level THC products sold in convenience stores with no age limits first, as his "primary goal is regulating the sale of all these products, including getting them out of the stores where they're accessible to minors."
The Democrats and some Republicans disagree with Huffman, saying it's about control.
"We want to make sure that the will of voters is protected," House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. "We want to make sure that the use of that revenue is upheld."
How do I get the lawmakers to stop?
Contact them.
This can be a little tricky, which is why I recorded a video for you:
Reminder: These are your state senators and state representatives, not the ones in D.C.
To find your district's legislators, click here. You will see a page where you can put in your address. From there, two people should pop up on the screen. If you click the lawmaker's icon, you will be directed to their page. From there, you will see a banner with different options. Click the one that says “Contact.” Depending on your browser, you may need to click a "More" option before "Contact."
If you are still struggling, I am happy to help you find out who your legislators are.
Have questions? Let me know, and I'll answer them.
I have continued to cover any and all changes to marijuana policy that lawmakers are trying to make.
I also have a series answering your questions about cannabis in Ohio. Please email me written questions — or a video of you asking a question — to be featured in our next addition. Send questions to Morgan.Trau@wews.com with the subject line "Marijuana questions."
Follow <i>WEWS</i> statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on <i>Twitter</i> and <i>Facebook</i>.
