Toledo Reporter

State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson expressed strong opposition to the recent passage of Senate Bill 56, which revises Ohio's adult-use recreational marijuana laws. These laws were initially approved by voters in 2023.

Hicks-Hudson stated, “It amazes me when the proponents of Senate Bill 56 say that the citizens ‘don’t know what they voted for.’ It amazes me when facts are manipulated to reach a false conclusion. What was voted on by Ohio voters is again being ignored by the majority members. Regardless of whether you support or don’t support adult-use marijuana, this legislation flagrantly disregards the voice of the people. Majority members continue to trample on the will of voters, disrespecting their basic rights as citizens of Ohio.”

The senator highlighted several amendments proposed by Senate Democrats aimed at aligning the bill with voter intent. These amendments included removing financial barriers to expungement, matching public smoking rules for marijuana with those for cigarettes, increasing home grow plant limits from six to nine per household, and restoring both THC content limits and dispensary license distribution to current standards.

Senate Bill 56 will now move to the Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration.