Select Page

The Ohio House rejected Gov. Mike DeWine’s plan to double marijuana sales taxes in its proposed budget, adopted April 1.

DeWine had proposed doubling Ohio‘s excise tax on recreational marijuana from 10% to 20%. Despite another bill weighing changes to marijuana legislation in the House, Ohio Representatives removed DeWine’s proposed tax changes. Nearly 60% of Ohioans voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, and lawmakers have faced criticism for moving to alter voter-approved marijuana laws.

DeWine had suggested the added 10% tax would support a new fund distributing revenue to six agencies: Health, Commerce, Public Safety, Behavioral Health, Tax and the Attorney General’s office. It would have generated a projected $87 million in fiscal year 2026 and $176 million in 2027.

The Department of Taxation had been in favor of the increase, saying the funds could have supported the 988 suicide hotline, jail construction and court costs for expunging marijuana possession offenses that are still on Ohioans’ records.

Political advocacy groups on both sides of the aisle celebrated the change, as liberal policy groups have condemned marijuana policy changes throughout. Conservative group Americans For Prosperity released a statement from its Ohio Executive Director Donovan O’Neil, who said he was “thrilled” to see the tax increase eliminated.

The update does not mean marijuana laws will not be changed. The budget is a long way from its summer deadline and will face changes in the Senate, and both House Bill 160 and Senate Bill 56 would adjust recreational marijuana laws. SB 56 passed in the Senate earlier this year, so both bills await action in the House. Both would decrease the legal level of THC permitted, limit Ohio to 350 dispensaries and adjust where marijuana could be smoked.

Read more at NBC4

Share via
Copy link