Reps. Weinstein and Upchurch give sponsor testimony on recreational marijuana bill

COLUMBUS—State Reps. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) today gave testimony before the Ohio House Finance Committee on House Bill 382. This legislation would legalize adult-use cannabis for Ohioans aged 21 years and older. 

“HB 382 would create jobs, generate revenue, and keep families together,” said Rep. Upchurch. “We need this for Ohioans.”

“We’ve reached a point where a majority of Americans live in states with legalized or decriminalized adult-use cannabis. Ohioans are ready for this step,” said Rep. Weinstein. “I am confident we have the bipartisan support needed to get this done next General Assembly, and I look forward to bringing this legislation back in the new year.”

HB 382 would allow for adult cultivation and possession of marijuana and allows for the expungement of conviction records for previous cultivation and possession offenses. The bill would also levy an excise tax of 10% on a marijuana retailer's or microbusiness's gross receipts from the sale of marijuana. Excise tax revenue would be distributed in part to primary and secondary (K-12) education (35%), for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges (35%), and to municipalities and counties that host dispensaries (30%). Up to $20 million would also be designated annually for the first two years for clinical trials researching the efficacy of marijuana in treating the medical conditions of veterans and preventing veteran suicide.

HB 382 was introduced in July 2021 as the first legislative effort in Ohio to legalize recreational marijuana cultivation and sales. A citizen-initiated ballot measure to legalize adult-use marijuana is also expected to come before Ohio voters in November 2023.