Ohio Governor DeWine Says He Will Sign Bill Overhauling Voter-Approved Cannabis Legalization Law

His announcement comes just two days after lawmakers finalized the measure and sent it to his desk. The bill marks a major restructuring of the adult-use law backed by 57% of voters in 2023, which led to the launch of licensed recreational sales last August. After extensive committee hearings and revisions, the House advanced the proposal in November, and the Senate completed its work today. With DeWine now pledging to sign it, the overhaul is poised to take effect.

One of the most significant changes is a broad expansion of Ohio’s public-use rules. While current law treats marijuana smoking in public much like tobacco, SB 56 would make it illegal to knowingly consume any adult-use product in a public place—including edibles such as gummies. Although Issue 2 allowed public consumption of non-smoked products, this authority would be eliminated. Violations would carry a minor misdemeanor and a fine of up to $150.

The legislation also bars possession of any marijuana not purchased from an Ohio dispensary, meaning cannabis bought legally in another state could not be legally held in Ohio. Another section tightens what qualifies as lawful paraphernalia by directing the Division of Marijuana Control to create an approved list of devices that can be made, sold, or possessed. Anything not on that list could be restricted.

Transportation rules would become considerably stricter as well. Opened marijuana products—including edibles and vaporizers—would need to be stored in the trunk of a vehicle, or behind the last upright seat if there is no trunk. Paraphernalia would be subject to the same rule, raising uncertainty about how enforcement would apply in taxis, buses, and rideshares.

Home grow allowances approved by voters remain in place, but new criminal penalties would apply for households that exceed the six-plant per adult or 12-plant per residence caps. Depending on the number of plants, violations could range from a minor misdemeanor to a felony.

Beyond consumer rules, SB 56 folds intoxicating hemp into the regulated marijuana market. Products such as delta-8 THC gummies and other hemp-derived intoxicants could no longer be sold in gas stations or convenience stores and would instead be limited to licensed dispensaries. The bill also directs regulators to set packaging, testing, and labeling standards and establishes a THC threshold to determine what qualifies as an intoxicating hemp product.

The legislation further imposes a statewide cap of 400 adult-use dispensaries and 400 intoxicating-hemp dispensaries combined.