The Ohio Senate on Tuesday voted along party lines 22-7 to approve a ban on intoxicating hemp products and criminalize the possession of all adult-use cannabis products obtained out of state, Dayton Daily News reports. The new law does allow intoxicating hemp-derived beverages to be sold at licensed liquor establishments until the federal ban on the products takes effect next November.
Following the vote, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D) told reporters that the criminalization of cannabis products obtained outside of Ohio is “unnecessary.”
“This original packaging (provision) … what’s the original packaging for the marijuana you grew at home? Anyone? Do you carry the plant?” — Antonio via the Daily News
Senate President Rob McColley (R) countered that the provisions criminalizing out-of-state products are “not something that’s going to be heavily penalized.”
“But it’s something that we need to make sure that they have the tools necessary in the event that they need to be able to enforce that,” he told reporters.
The bill also creates an expungement system for individuals convicted of low-level possession prior to the state’s adult-use reforms; however, the plan requires those affected to pay a fee to have their records cleared.
The law also allows the state to immediately begin disbursing monies collected from cannabis taxes to local governments that host adult-use dispensaries.
The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed by Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who has supported the bill and is expected to give it final approval.
