Ohio’s marijuana laws are facing another round of proposed changes, but this time, with a less aggressive approach than the Senate’s sweeping amendment efforts. A Republican lawmaker in the state House has introduced a competing bill that aims to tweak, rather than overhaul, the voter-approved cannabis legalization law.
House Bill Keeps Home Cultivation Limits Intact
Rep. Brian Stewart (R), who chairs the House Finance Committee, is leading the charge with a 120-page bill that offers an alternative to the Senate’s stricter proposal. His measure notably avoids slashing the number of cannabis plants Ohioans can grow at home—a key sticking point in the ongoing debate.
The Senate’s version, spearheaded by Sen. Steve Huffman (R), seeks to cut the allowable home-grown plant count from 12 to 6 per household. Stewart’s bill, however, would leave the current limit untouched, allowing adults 21 and older to continue growing up to a dozen plants for personal use.
For marijuana advocates and home growers, that’s a big win. Many feared the Senate’s proposal would severely restrict personal cultivation rights that voters approved just months ago.
THC Limits and Dispensary Cap Still on the Table
While Stewart’s bill takes a softer stance on home growing, it still proposes some restrictions—particularly when it comes to THC levels in cannabis extracts. Under the current law, extracts can contain up to 90% THC, but both Stewart’s bill and the Senate’s version would bring that down to 70%.
In addition to THC limits, the House measure aligns with the Senate bill on another key issue: dispensary licenses. Both proposals would set a statewide cap of 350 dispensaries, effectively limiting how many retail cannabis businesses can operate.
A few key takeaways from the two competing bills:
- The Senate bill seeks to cut the home-grow limit to 6 plants, while the House bill keeps it at 12.
- Both bills reduce the THC cap for cannabis extracts from 90% to 70%.
- The number of dispensaries in the state would be capped at 350 under both proposals.
Lawmakers Clash Over Voter-Approved Marijuana Law
The push to amend Ohio’s newly legalized cannabis law has sparked division among Republican lawmakers. Some want to impose stricter controls, citing concerns about high-potency products and the rapid expansion of the industry. Others, like Stewart, appear more inclined to respect the law as approved by voters while making targeted changes.
His bill represents a middle ground—addressing some regulatory concerns without gutting core provisions like home cultivation rights. That sets up a potential battle between the House and Senate as both chambers work to finalize marijuana legislation in the coming months.
For now, Ohio’s cannabis law remains in flux, and it’s unclear which version will ultimately prevail. One thing is certain: the fight over marijuana regulation in the state is far from over.
