ASHLAND — Ohio became the 24th state to approve recreational marijuana in November, and the law went into full effect Thursday.
It’s subject to change from the state legislature. But, until both the House and Senate pass something they agree on, and Gov. Mike DeWine signs it, the original text of the ballot measure spells out the law.
Adults 21 and over can now buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home. An individual can grow six, and households with more than one person can grow 12 plants.
A 10% tax will be imposed on purchases. It will be spent on administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs that support the industry.
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Recreational cannabis, though legal now in Ohio to possess and consume, will not be immediately available to purchase in dispensaries.
Sales cannot start until the newly established Division of Cannabis Control completes the rule making and licensing processes. The entity has up to nine months to outline the criteria.
While recreational marijuana may be legal in the state, some places remain marijuana-free zones. Universities fall under that category.
Since those bodies receive federal funding, federal law governs university campuses. The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, passed in 1989, prohibits possession and use of marijuana under federal law.
Universities respond
Robert Pool, Ashland University’s vice president for student affairs, said Thursday AU’s current policy prohibits marijuana use, possession and distribution on campus. That won’t change with the new state law.
“We certainly do have students who’ve been found smoking marijuana… but it’s not rampant on campus,” Pool said.
He said AU plans to monitor whether use of marijuana becomes more pervasive on campus. It will focus, in specific, on any disruptions to work or classrooms.
If students come to campus intoxicated, Pool added they may not be able to use services or work campus jobs. He said AU enforces that policy with alcohol, citing use of the school’s recreation center as an example.
But, Pool said, students will not be in violation of university policy if they smoke off campus and are 21 or older.
The Ohio State University put out a statement Wednesday about the new law. It also stated marijuana use and possession will remain prohibited on university property. That same rule applies to OSU-Mansfield’s campus, according to Sgt. Don Wallis with The Ohio State University Police Division.
Our chief aim is to be educational and developmental, while still upholding the values and expectations that make our community extraordinary.
Benjamin Johnson, Vice president of media and public Relations at The Ohio State University
Benjamin Johnson, The Ohio State University’s assistant vice president of media and public relations, said violations of OSU’s policy may result in referrals to student conduct.
“Our goal in such cases isn’t just to uphold university policy, but to support our students as they work to conform their behavior to both community expectations and all applicable local, state and federal laws,” Johnson’s email said.
He continued: “Furthermore, we use the university’s conduct system to identify and address the particular needs of students experiencing (or at risk of developing) abuse and dependency issues. Our chief aim is to be educational and developmental, while still upholding the values and expectations that make our community extraordinary.”
Wallis, the OSU sergeant, also serves as director of public safety at North Central State College. He sent Ashland Source OSU’s statement.
Ashland Source called the president of NCSC for further comment about NCSC’s campus rules, but could not reach him by the time of publication.
Ashland Source called Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Kenyon College for comment for this story. It did not hear back from either before this story’s publication.
Still subject to change
While the state did make the drug legal recreationally, the state legislature is debating changes to the new law.
State senators passed a bill, H.B. 86, late Wednesday that limits the growing of marijuana plants to six, increases the excise tax to 15% and allows medical marijuana dispensaries to start selling recreational cannabis immediately.
The Senate’s bill also requires expungements upon request. It scraps the social equity and jobs program, diverting tax revenue to law enforcement training, substance abuse treatment and the state’s general fund.
The bill also bans public smoking.
The House’s competing bill, H.B. 354, awaits a vote from the House of Representatives.
WLWT 5, a television station based in Cincinnati, reported DeWine has urged both the Senate and the House to pass H.B. 86. He called it a “sweet spot” bill that will avoid a “black market.”
“This black market will just take off,” DeWine told reporters Thursday. “People will be getting it from many sources, none of them legally. Without this bill, people could be buying marijuana that has fentanyl in it. The leading cause of death in the state of Ohio of overdoses is fentanyl, 80% of our deaths.”
The House Finance Committee had a hearing scheduled for H.B. 86 on Thursday. The House’s next full session is set for next week.
