Ohio Lawmakers Plan to Change Marijuana Law by End of June—Even Sharing Could Still Be a Crime

Ohio Lawmakers and advocates at the Ohio House Bill 160

Ohio Lawmakers Plan to Change Marijuana Law by End of June—Even Sharing Could Still Be a Crime

By Anthony D Riley (Mastamynd) | May 29, 2025

Ohio lawmakers are racing to rewrite the state’s new cannabis law before the end of June—and some of the changes on the table may surprise the very voters who approved legalization.

Under the latest changes to Senate Bill 56, sharing marijuana will only be legal if it was bought at a licensed Ohio dispensary. Homegrown cannabis can’t be shared at all, and bringing in weed from out of state is still banned.

Lawmakers are also proposing to cut the legal home grow limit from 12 plants per household to just 6—a move that contradicts the language voters approved under Issue 2.

And while consumers will soon be able to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per day starting June 4, Governor Mike DeWine is still pushing for something else: a tax hike. Under his budget proposal, the current 10 percent adult-use tax would double to 20 percent, further raising prices in a market already criticized for high costs.

A separate change would allow hemp-derived THC drinks to be sold in convenience stores and other retail locations, taxed at $3.50 per gallon. Meanwhile, a proposed mandatory jail sentence for using cannabis in a vehicle’s passenger seat has been dropped.

Ohio’s medical cannabis program continues to decline, with over 35,000 patients exiting the registry in recent months. But dispensary access is growing fast—more than 100 new shops are expected, adding to the 139 already open across the state.

Rodney Hash, an advocate and cannabis consumer, said he’s watching the legislative process closely. “I just wish all the members of the committee were as easy to work with as Rep. Synenberg,” Hash said. “Some lawmakers have been open to meetings—but others won’t even talk to people in their own districts.”

Veteran James Powers, who has attempted to reach both the House Judiciary Chairman and his district representative without success, called the process “grossly irresponsible.”

“It feels like they’re subverting the will of Ohio voters,” Powers said. “There’s been no meaningful dialogue, no updated language that addresses the concerns we’ve raised. At this point, it’s hard to believe they’re acting in anyone’s interest but their own—or the special interests funding them.”

Still, Powers believes the community won’t back down. “The grassroots effort that’s come together since the beginning of the year isn’t going away,” he added. “If needed, we’ll take the obstruction right back to the ballot.”

As the June deadline approaches, the question remains: Are lawmakers following the will of the voters—or rewriting it?

About the Author

Anthony D Riley, also known as Mastamynd, is a disabled journalist, advocate, and content creator living with a brain injury and chronic pancreatitis. He is one of Ohio’s first medical marijuana patients and the founder of Ohio Cannabis Live. A computer wizard and graduate of the Ohio Media School for TV and Radio Broadcasting, he has created multiple platforms to help Ohio residents navigate the complexities of legal cannabis.

He has produced over 1,100 cannabis-related videos and earned more than 830,000 views on YouTube, while continuing to educate and empower the community through media, outreach, and real-time reporting on policy changes and access issues.

For media inquiries or to book an interview with Anthony Riley, visit www.anthonydriley.com or email info@ohiocannabislive.com