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Ohio’s SB56 Cannabis Crackdown, Michigan Bud, Evictions & Original Packaging

Date: November 30, 2025

Author: Mastamynd

weed on a table with jar of weed

Ohio lawmakers are finalizing Senate Bill 56, a sweeping overhaul of the voter‑approved adult‑use cannabis framework. The bill’s conference committee version adds strict requirements for how adult‑use and home‑grown marijuana can be stored, transported, and sold, and it rewrites the rules around housing and employment protections. Understanding these changes is critical for every Ohio consumer.


Where you can buy cannabis and what counts as legal: SB 56 states that adult‑use cannabis must be purchased from a licensed Ohio dispensary or grown at your primary residence; it prohibits possession of marijuana acquired elsewhere

. That means flower or edibles bought across state lines, such as from Michigan, would be considered contraband


. Hemp‑derived THC beverages containing more than 5 mg per serving must also be sold through dispensaries

.


Travel and storage rules: The bill requires adult‑use marijuana to be stored in its original packaging whenever it is not in use

. When transporting cannabis or paraphernalia, it must be stored in a vehicle’s trunk or behind the last seat so it is not accessible to the driver

. Edible adult‑use and medical cannabis products must remain sealed in their original packaging

. These rules present practical challenges for home‑growers because home‑grown flower does not come in dispensary packaging, highlighting a gray area that regulators will need to address.


Home‑grow limits and rental properties: The bill maintains the six plants per adult, 12‑per‑household limit, but prohibits cultivation at childcare homes, halfway houses, and any residence occupied under a lease that prohibits home grow

. It also bans cultivating marijuana on behalf of someone else


. In other words, landlords can refuse to allow cannabis plants on their property.


Smoking and vaping restrictions: Smoking or vaporizing adult‑use or home‑grown marijuana is permitted only in a private residence. SB 56 explicitly bans smoking or vaping in child‑care homes and any rental property whose lease prohibits cannabis consumption


. The bill also authorizes penalties for consuming cannabis in vehicles and other prohibited places


.


Housing and employment protections rolled back: Current law prohibits landlords, health‑care providers, and other authorities from taking adverse actions against adults solely for legal cannabis use. SB 56 repeals those protections

. Landlords will be allowed to reject or evict tenants for marijuana use if it violates a lease, and employers may enforce drug‑free workplace policies without risk of violating cannabis law. Medical marijuana patients still retain protections under separate statutes.


Expungement threshold lowered: The House version of SB 56 allowed expungement of prior marijuana possession convictions involving up to 200 grams. The conference committee cut that limit in half, allowing expungement only for convictions involving up to 100 grams

. Offenses involving more than 15 grams of hashish or 2.5 ounces of plant material remain ineligible

.

Watch their committee hearing. This explains a lot of thier evil plan


SB 56 is still moving through the legislature, but these provisions illustrate a stricter regulatory framework than the voter‑approved Issue 2. Consumers should review their leases and workplace policies and prepare to store and transport cannabis within the bill’s parameters.


Call‑to‑Action: There is still time to stop this from happening. Call or email your local Ohio State senator and tell them to vote No on Dec 9th or whenever they bring it to a floor vote, it failed last time 0 to 32. Stay informed by subscribing to Ohio Cannabis Live and sharing your thoughts with local legislators. If SB 56 passes, we’ll provide guidance on how to comply with the new rules.


Here are the names of Senators who sponsored this bill: Senators


About the Author: Mastamynd is the founder of Ohio Cannabis Live and a longtime advocate for sensible cannabis policy in the Buckeye State. He blends journalism and activism to help Ohioans navigate the evolving cannabis landscape.

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