Ohio voters have passed Issue 2, legalizing recreational marijuana, making it the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes.
The new law permits adults aged 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home. A 10% tax will be imposed on purchases, allocated to administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries, and social equity and jobs programs supporting the industry. The law’s passage defied opposition from GOP lawmakers, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, and business organizations concerned about its impact on workplace and traffic safety. However, as a citizen-initiated statute, the law can be modified or repealed by lawmakers, raising concerns among opponents about the measure’s tax structure and limits on THC, the compound responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects.