Ohio Lawmakers Pause Effort to Revise State Cannabis Laws Until After Summer Break

The bill, which passed the Senate in February, was twice scheduled for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee but was removed from the agenda both times. The second cancellation came Tuesday, the same day the committee was expected to take up possible amendments related to hemp. “We are going to push pause,” said State Representative Brian Stewart. “We’re going to take the summer and come back and potentially take another crack at it.”

SB 56 would impose new restrictions on Ohio’s legal marijuana market, including lowering the cap on THC concentration in extracts from 90% to 70%, limiting the number of licensed dispensaries to 400, and banning marijuana smoking in most public places. Notably, it leaves intact the right to grow up to 12 marijuana plants per household, a provision approved by voters last November when they legalized recreational marijuana with 57% support.

The measure would also restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp products—such as those containing delta-8 THC—to licensed marijuana dispensaries.

House Speaker Matt Huffman indicated that his caucus is not willing to compromise on other legislative priorities just to pass the marijuana bill quickly, further reducing the chances of movement before lawmakers break after finalizing the state budget.

Unless legislative leaders reconvene unexpectedly, SB 56 will remain stalled until lawmakers return later this year.