Latest news with #HouseBill160
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio legislature closing in on tweaks to voter-approved recreational marijuana laws
Jun. 5—A Frankenstein's monster of sorts is coming alive in Columbus as members of the Ohio House and Senate work to close the gap in their chamber's different approaches to recreational marijuana reform. That gap has existed since Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana at the ballot box in 2023, with the Ohio Senate broadly pushing for more restrictions than the House was willing to tolerate. The House adopted a plan to try to find the middle: Amend Senate Bill 56 to include large portions of House Bill 160 and Senate Bill 86. Here's the broad overview of the hodgepodge piece of legislation, as things stand: — There would be no ban on the sharing of recreational marijuana between of-age adults. — The state's current flat 10% tax would be maintained on recreational sales and expanded onto intoxicating hemp products. Previous plans have sought to raise the tax to 15% or 20%. — Intoxicating hemp products would be banned from retail sales and only be purchasable at dispensaries. That's except for low-dose THC-infused beverages, which could still be sold retail. — The state's current host community financial kickback would be phased out seven years after the bill's effective date. Previous plans have considered cutting out that funding immediately. — The limit of Ohio dispensaries would rise from 350 to 400. — The minimum distance between dispensaries would be one mile. Previous plans have looked at a half-mile limit. — Public use would be allowed in permitting concert venues. Bars and restaurants still would not have the authority to permit marijuana consumption on their patios or outdoor areas. — THC concentration in certain products would be capped at 70%, with Ohio's Division of Cannabis Control having the regulatory power to bump it higher. The bill is likely to see further amendments in the House Judiciary Committee over the coming weeks. Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, who has headed the House's legislative efforts on intoxicating hemp and recreational marijuana, said that he hopes the compromise will be enough to get the Senate on board. The Senate's go-to expert on the subject, Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, did not respond before publication when this news outlet asked if he approved of the House's changes. ------ For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Confidential ethics complaints against Louisiana officials, gov't workers might be eliminated
Louisiana legislators may eliminate the ability of the public to confidentially or anonymously file complaints about unethical behavior by government workers and elected officials. (Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana legislators could remove the public's ability to confidentially or anonymously raise concerns about illegal activity by government employees and elected officials. The Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 10-4 Wednesday for House Bill 160 from Rep. Kellee Dickerson, R-Denham Springs, despite a warning from the state ethics board that it would have a 'chilling effect' on ethics complaints about public employees and leaders. All four lawmakers who voted against the proposal are Republicans. 'The Board regularly receives complaints requesting that the complainant's identity remain confidential due to fears of retaliation,' state Ethics Administrator David Bordelon wrote in a letter to the committee sent Monday on behalf of ethics board members. 'This is seen most often when a complaint is received from an individual who has information regarding a potential violation by a supervisor or their local elected official.' 'The board still supports that during the investigation the complainant should remain confidential,' Bordelon said Wednesday during a legislative hearing on the proposal. Dickerson's legislation would require the ethics board to provide the identity of anyone who reported an ethics complaint to the target of the investigation. Currently, the identity of a complainant remains unknown to anyone outside of the ethics board and staff, unless the person chooses to identify themselves. 'If any of you have had to go before the ethics board, it is a very intense process,' Dickerson said Wednesday during the committee hearing. 'When you're brought before the ethics committee, who has quite the reputation … It's difficult.' 'This is to kind of bring some of those frivolous, if you will, complaints down and to help you face your accuser,' she said. Dickerson's legislation would also eliminate the ability to file an ethics complaint against someone anonymously. From 2020-23, the ethics board also received 137 anonymous complaints – where the board and staff doesn't even know the identity of the complainant – that would no longer be allowed. In her bill, Dickerson said she's tried to protect those who report ethics violations from retaliation. It includes a provision to allow lawsuits to be filed against anyone who threatens or coerces someone into not raising a concern with the ethics board. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Yet Bordelon said the proposal would also create an inconsistency when it comes to the confidentiality of potential whistleblowers. Dickerson's bill only eliminates confidentiality for people complaining about government ethics violations. People who report illegal activity related to political campaign fundraising and spending would still be allowed to keep their identity from the target of the investigation, he said. Dickerson's bill is also part of a broader effort since Gov. Jeff Landry came into office to weaken the authority of the ethics board and water down anti-corruption laws. Two other major bills are moving through the Legislature this session that would make it harder to investigate government ethics and political campaign wrongdoing. Last year, Landry and lawmakers passed legislation to allow the governor to have more influence over ethics board appointees. The ethics board oversees the enforcement of laws related to government corruption, nepotism, lobbying and political campaign finances. It supervises the activities of state and local government, including public employees and elected officials at all levels. Landry has had several personal disputes with the ethics board dating back to when he became attorney general in 2016. Most recently, he has been in negotiations over ethics charges the board filed against him in 2023 for not disclosing a trip he took to Hawaii on a political donor's private plane. On top of eliminating confidential and anonymous complaints, Dickerson's bill would also create other challenges for launching an ethics investigation. It limits the materials ethics board members can use to instigate a probe. They would only be able to look into misconduct if an individual filed a formal complaint with the board. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Currently, the board uses a much wider swath of information to launch its investigations. They can initiate inquiries based on state legislative audits, news coverage and required annual reports from the heads of state agencies on potential ethics violations in their departments. All of those avenues for pursuing an ethics investigation would be cut off if Dickerson's bill becomes law. Almost half of the board's 177 investigations from 2020-23 that resulted in a discovery of wrongdoing came from either a legislative audit (21), one of the annual state agency head reports (44) or a news story (18), according to information provided by the ethics board. None of these investigations would have been launched if Dickerson's legislation had been in place. Also, a large number of the ethics complaints would also have to be filed in person at the ethics board's office in downtown Baton Rouge under Dickerson's bill. All 'non-sworn' complaints from an individual would have to be delivered by hand, and the person would have to present their government-issued identification when dropping it off. 'Sworn' complaints – those made under a legal oath attesting to the truthfulness of its statements – could be delivered by mail, fax or electronic means, under Dickerson's legislation. The in-person delivery standard for 'non-sworn' complaints would apply to people making complaints about local government officials in all corners of the state. For example, a person who was complaining about potential problems with a local official in Bastrop, in the far northeastern part of the state would have to drive to Baton Rouge to submit their concerns. From 2020-23, the board received more than four times as many 'non-sworn' complaints as sworn ones from the public, according to information the ethics staff provided. Non-sworn complaints also resulted in the largest number of 'findings' of an ethics violation. Out of the 177 cases where the board concluded there was wrongdoing, 52 came from non-sworn complaints during the four-year period. Voting in favor of the bill: Reps. Michael Bayham, R-Chalmette; Beth Billings, R-Destrehan; Wilford Carter, D-Lake Charles; Ed Larvadain, D-Alexandria; Rodney Lyons, D-Marrero; Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge; Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge; Candance Newell, D-New Orleans; Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck; and John Wyble, R-Franklinton. Voting against the bill: Reps. Les Farnum. R-Sulphur; Foy Gadberry, R-West Monroe; Polly Thomas, R-Metairie; and Mark Wright, R-Covington.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio bill to regulate Delta-8 products moves forward
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Lawmakers have been working to regulate Delta-8 products since late 2023, largely at the request of Gov. Mike DeWine. 'At the end of the day, it's about the safety of kids,' Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said. Delta-8 is a low-level THC product that can give a high similar to marijuana but is sold in convenient stores with no age restriction or regulations. 'Anything that we can do to make sure that these things are safe for consumers is a step in the right direction,' Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said. Ohio State University fraternity suspended for hazing Senate Bill 86 passed the Senate on Wednesday with no votes against it. The Sente did pass a bill last general assembly too, but that died in the House at the end of 2023. At the end of 2024, lawmakers tried again, but the bill died in committee after disagreement about whether a total ban was necessary. 'I think there's some genuine disagreements, but I don't think anything of the problems are unsolvable,' Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. This new bill, though, requires that any 'intoxicating hemp' product is sold in a licensed marijuana dispensary and only accessible to Ohioans 21 and over. Some leaders said it is a good start but say the state could go further. 'Frankly, if it were up to me individually, but it's not, I would probably ban the product,' Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. But some in the hemp industry said banning, or even simply putting the product in dispensaries, will both strengthen the illicit market and negatively impact small businesses in Ohio. 'Many of these stores that are offering this were already in business before this product was offered,' McColley said. 'I don't have a lot of sympathy for some of those businesses.' House Bill 160 both changes the state's recreational marijuana laws and requires that Delta-8 products be put behind bars. Huffman said he thinks the two issues should be addressed the same way. 'We say the word hemp, but what I've tried to do is constrict the conversation or the terminology to THC, whether it's coming from marijuana, coming from hemp or coming from some chemical alteration of some subject,' he said. Though details like that have held up progress in the past, Huffman said he is confident something can get done by June 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers considering changes to Delta-8 products
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Legislation to change Ohio's recreational marijuana laws and regulate Delta-8 are likely to move forward in the Ohio Statehouse this week. Right now, there are two bills being heard in the same Ohio House committee to regulate recreational marijuana and change what voters approved a year and a half ago. 'As a cannabis industry as a whole, we are continuing to fight this stigma,' said Emilie Ramach, vice president of business and government affairs for BeneLeaves. 'It's going to improve the marijuana industry,' Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) said. Huffman is sponsoring Senate Bill 56. His bill passed the Senate and now awaits action in the House. House Bill 160 is a similar bill that is also being worked on in the House. They both, for example, decrease legal THC extract levels from 90% to 70%. That change would impact products like gummies or brownies. 'When you do that, you have to have a filler,' said Tim Johnson, president and founder of Cannabis Safety First. 'You have to have an additive in there. So instead of having 90% of a purity, now you have 70%.' The bills each make dozens of changes to recreational marijuana laws, like capping the number of dispensaries at 350. But Huffman said that is not a main priority in the bill. 'The public consumption — not smoking and in a moving vehicle — are really important things in the advertising towards children,' Huffman said. While the bills are similar, there are differences. Senate Bill 56 cuts the number of plants that can be grown in a house with two adults from 12 to six. House Bill 160 keeps it at 12. But Huffman said he is willing to compromise. 'If we get to 12, that's OK,' he said. While each bill makes dozens of changes, Johnson said he thinks each one misses the mark. 'What we continually leave out is the criminal justice reform factor,' Johnson said. 'We need to have housing rights, we need to have employment rights, child custody.' 'We can always look at things going further,' Huffman said. Right now, in both bills, the application for records expungement costs $50, then there must be at least one court hearing. Huffman said that process is 'better than what it is now.' 'It certainly gives the path for people to expunge things that are not criminal now,' Huffman said. Meanwhile, there are related bills to regulate what is sometimes known as 'diet weed,' or Delta-8, also moving forward. 'I think hemp is probably more important than marijuana,' Huffman said. Right now, the product is fully available for anyone to buy at convenient stores, with no age restriction and gives a similar high as marijuana does. Last year, the bill stalled when the House and Senate couldn't decide whether to ban it completely, or just regulate those products. Now, lawmakers seek to require those products be sold in a dispensary. Huffman said he is confident both marijuana and Delta-8 regulations will pass the statehouse by July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio House rejects plan to double marijuana tax, Senate to consider
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio House rejected Gov. Mike DeWine's plan to double marijuana sales taxes in its proposed budget, adopted April 1. DeWine had proposed doubling Ohio's excise tax on recreational marijuana from 10% to 20%. Despite another bill weighing changes to marijuana legislation in the House, Ohio Representatives removed DeWine's proposed tax changes. Nearly 60% of Ohioans voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, and lawmakers have faced criticism for moving to alter voter-approved marijuana laws. Childcare issues lead to annual $5 billion loss for Ohio's economy DeWine had suggested the added 10% tax would support a new fund distributing revenue to six agencies: Health, Commerce, Public Safety, Behavioral Health, Tax and the Attorney General's office. It would have generated a projected $87 million in fiscal year 2026 and $176 million in 2027. The Department of Taxation had been in favor of the increase, saying the funds could have supported the 988 suicide hotline, jail construction and court costs for expunging marijuana possession offenses that are still on Ohioans' records. Political advocacy groups on both sides of the aisle celebrated the change, as liberal policy groups have condemned marijuana policy changes throughout. Conservative group Americans For Prosperity released a statement from its Ohio Executive Director Donovan O'Neil, who said he was 'thrilled' to see the tax increase eliminated. The update does not mean marijuana laws will not be changed. The budget is a long way from its summer deadline and will face changes in the Senate, and both House Bill 160 and Senate Bill 56 would adjust recreational marijuana laws. SB 56 passed in the Senate earlier this year, so both bills await action in the House. Both would decrease the legal level of THC permitted, limit Ohio to 350 dispensaries and adjust where marijuana could be smoked. What to know about early voting in Ohio's May 2025 primary election At the first Senate testimony, Attorney General Dave Yost encouraged the Senate to implement the excise tax increase to fund law enforcement training. With DeWine's budget proposal, law enforcement would have received around $75 million across two years from the marijuana tax increase. 'I would strongly encourage this committee to reinstate the permanent funding stream via the marijuana excise tax to continue to show our support for our local law enforcement partners,' Yost said. House Bill 160 has its second hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on April 9. Senate Bill 56 is also in the Judiciary Committee but does not have any hearings scheduled. The budget will continue deliberations in the Senate throughout the coming weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
