28-02-2025
Warren council opposes marijuana law changes
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — State Bill 56, legislation that would alter the voter-approved recreational marijuana laws, has moved through the Ohio statehouse.
Warren Council Wednesday night passed a resolution opposing the change.
Warren City Councilman Mike O'Brien said the main concern with the law is that it could change how tax revenue is handled. He argues it's not what people voted for and does not think it should pass.
'Making these changes at the 11th hour is really disingenuous to the communities that have the fortitude to have all the dispensaries in their communities,' said O'Brien.
Warren City Councilman Mike O'Brien's concern is the legislation, which originally included a tax increase and altered the way the tax revenue would be distributed throughout the state.
Originally, it divided the revenue between several funds but it could funnel all the revenue to the state's general fund instead. Right now that portion has been struck in the Senate but lawmakers say those rules could be added to the state budget instead.
'If this bill makes its way to the state budget where they try to impose this again to lead the opposition against that because any changes in the distribution of proceeds of people, of communities that have dispensaries is blatantly wrong,' O'Brien said.
Warren has two dispensaries: G-leaf on 422 and Wyld Skye on Elm Road. The city expects to bring in $600,000 a year in tax revenue — money it may not see.
'If this would be the case, the city, Warren would not be, we would only be getting a fraction of the revenue,' he said.
The legislation also caps dispensaries in the state at 350 and decreases legal THC levels and the amount of plants someone can grow in their own home.
O'Brien argues it's not what people voted for.
'Leave it alone and let those communities have dispensaries reap the tax benefits that they have been,' O'Brien said.
The bill still needs to get through the Ohio House before making it to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk.
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