One does not need to have voted in favor of the 2023 legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio to understand what lawmakers are now attempting is misguided at best. Both the state Senate and House of Representatives are working on bills that would significantly change the marijuana laws that allowed for the start of sales in August 2024.

Back in November 2023, approximately 57% of those who voted in Ohio were in favor of a regulated adult recreational use marijuana market in the state. When Issue 2 passed, tax revenue from sales was to be divided: 36% to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund, 36% to the host community cannabis fund, 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund and 3% to the Division of Cannabis Control and Tax Commissioner Fund.

Now, the Ohio Capital Journal reports both Senate Bill 45 and House Bill 160 place THC potency caps on cannabis. SB 56 would cut the number of legal home grow plants in half and require that marijuana could be used only in private residences. It would require marijuana to be transported only in the trunks of cars. And, it would limit the number of active dispensaries to 350. (On the other hand, it would allow a person to apply to have their record expunged — for a $50 filing fee).

According to the Capital Journal, HB 160 would redirect most of the tax revenue to the state’s general fund.

Coincidentally, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget increases the tax on marijuana from 10% to 20%.

“Whether one believes that cannabis ought to be legal or not is almost a secondary issue,” National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Deputy Director Paul Armentano told the Capital Journal. “The primary issue ought to be that elections have consequences, and the results of elections should matter.”

Cat Packer, director of drug markets and legal regulation at Drug Policy Alliance, believes many of these changes would mean cannabis consumers in Ohio should be aware “the law will consider you a criminal.”

Further, “My concern is we wouldn’t be dedicating those monies where voters decided that the money should go,” Packer told the Capital Journal.

“Ohio looks like it has been rolling along very smoothly, and implementation has been going well,” said NORML Political Director Morgan Fox told the Capital Journal. “There have been no major complaints from Ohioans, and it’s premature for the legislature to try to interfere with it.”

It may be premature, and it very much comes across as an attempt to tell voters they don’t know what is good for them.

Lawmakers must take a hard look at whether they are attempting to make necessary revisions, or whether they are attempting to undermine the will of Ohio voters.