Ohio

Ohio Lawmakers Target Voter-Approved Cannabis Legalization

Published

9 months ago

March 17, 2025

Ohio Lawmakers Target Voter-Approved Cannabis Legalization

Two bills introduced by Ohio lawmakers would roll back provisions of Issue 2, a recreational … [+] cannabis legalization ballot measure approved by voters in November 2023.

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Republican state lawmakers in Ohio have set their sights on the state’s voter-approved cannabis legalization initiative with two bills designed to roll back the initiative. The bills target Issue 2, a recreational marijuana legalization ballot measure that passed in November 2023 with 57% of the vote.

Late last month, the Ohio Senate approved a bill that would make significant changes to Issue 2. If signed into law, Senate Bill 56 would cut the limit of cannabis plants home pot cultivators are allowed to grow from 12 to six. The bill would also add new criminal penalties for some cannabis-related activities and roll back Issue 2’s social equity provisions, among other changes to the successful ballot measure.

Issue 2 legalized marijuana use and possession in Ohio by adults aged 21 and older, who are also allowed to grow up to 12 cannabis plants per household. The first licenses for recreational marijuana retailers were issued in June 2024, with regulated sales of adult-use cannabis beginning approximately six weeks later.

Senate Bill 56 would also reduce the THC limit for cannabis concentrates to 70%, down from the current limit of 90%. The legislation would also ban the public consumption of cannabis, which would include a ban on smoking outdoors on private property, News 5 Cleveland reported last week.

Before the bill was passed by the Senate, Republican state Sen. Steve Huffman, the sponsor of the bill, defended his efforts to change legislation approved by the voters of Ohio, according to a report from cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.

“Senate Bill 56 is a great bill because it’s reasonable, appropriate, it cuts down on the illicit marijuana market and it’s truly about protection and safety of children,” Huffman said on the floor, adding that “we have never known exactly why the voters voted for the initiated statute.”

“We’ll never know—but we do know that they should have known at least that they were voting to put it into the revised code—not in the Constitution, but in the Ohio Revised Code,” he said, defending efforts to change Issue 2. “Voters were clear in their desire to access safe, accessible adult-use marijuana. Senate Bill 56 respects those pleas.”

But Democratic Sen. Bill DeMora told his colleagues he opposed the bill, saying that the legislation “goes against the will of the voters and will kill the adult industry in Ohio.”

“In my eyes at least, a top priority of any legislation dealing with marijuana should be to preserve the will of the people. The people made their will known,” he said. “The sponsor doesn’t think that we know what people were voting for, but I have a good idea after all the testimony we’ve had in the last several years about marijuana.”

“They wanted higher THC limits. They wanted the ability to grow 12 plants at their home. They wanted level three craft growers. They wanted common sense public smoking restrictions. And they wanted taxes to help the municipalities addiction and substance abuse efforts and those that were affected by criminalization,” DeMora continued. “This bill does none of those things. In fact, it makes all those provisions worse.”

The Ohio Senate approved Senate Bill 56 by a vote of 23-9 on February 26. The measure has been referred to the Ohio House of Representatives, where it will be considered by the House Judiciary Committee.

Separate House Bill Also Seeks Changes To Issue 2

On March 6, GOP Rep. Brian Stewart, the chair of the House Finance Committee, introduced House Bill 160, a separate measure that would make changes to Issue 2. Like Senate Bill 56, the bill also reduces the THC cap on cannabis concentrates at 70%. Unlike the Senate bill, however, Stewart’s bill does not cut the limit on the number of cannabis plants that can be grown by home cultivators.

“That bill respects the will of the voters, while also acknowledging that by passing initiated statute, backers and supporters of Issues 2 understood and accepted that marijuana law would remain subject to certain reasonable reforms by the Ohio Legislature,” Stewart said about the legislation.

House Bill 160 is awaiting committee assignment in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 56 was passed by the Ohio Senate last month, while House Bill 160 is pending in the … [+] state House of Representatives.

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Cannabis Policy Reform Advocates Oppose Efforts To Amend Issue 2

Last week, representatives of drug policy reform and civil liberties organizations held a virtual meeting to oppose efforts by Ohio Republicans to change the state’s legalization of cannabis through Issue 2. The webinar, which was attended by leaders from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, was held online on March 13. During the online meeting, speakers said the legislation to amend Issue 2 are efforts to deny the will of the people.

“Lawmakers in Ohio had years to craft legislation to legalize the adult-use marijuana market,” said Paul Armentano, NORML’s deputy director. “They refused to do so, and they left that decision ultimately in the hands of the electorate. And it is a slap in the face to those voters—the 57 percent of Ohioans that voted for Issue 2—for lawmakers to come back and now play Monday morning quarterback.”

“This issue in Ohio has been one of NORML’s lead priorities this session,” Armentano added, “and trying to make sure that the will of the voters in Ohio—and in several other states—is in fact respected.”

Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies for MPP, noted that the bills would enact new criminal penalties, characterizing the proposals as “basically a minefield of recriminalization.”

“If you were to pass a joint or share your homegrown cannabis or share your cannabis with your spouse or your roommate, you’d be a criminal again,” she said. “If you got your cannabis from anywhere other than an Ohio dispensary or your own personally grown cannabis by yourself—not even your roommate or your spouse—you’d be a criminal again.”

Ohio resident Cat Packer, the DPA’s director of drug markets and legal regulation, said that the new restrictions proposed by lawmakers are “not normal.”

Ohio voters “created this bundle of rights for individuals 21 and older to ensure that activities like possession, like transfer, aren’t criminalized,” she argued, according to a report from Marijuana Moment. “And what we’re seeing here, being introduced through these various pieces of legislation, would put Ohio as an outlier amongst many or all of the jurisdictions that have passed adult-use legalization thus far.”

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Ohio

No. 2 Ohio State Wins Top 10 Battle over No. 9 Wolfpack, 26-10 | Ohio State

Published

8 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

No. 2 Ohio State Wins Top 10 Battle over No. 9 Wolfpack, 26-10 | Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 2 Ohio State (8-0) remained undefeated with a 26-10 win over visiting No. 9 NC State (5-3) Friday at the Covelli Center.

How it Happened

125 – (1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3

Robinson opened the scoring with a takedown followed by a McCrone escape to send the bout to the second with NC State up 3-1. McCrone chose top to open the second after Robinson deferred choice. Robinson got the reversal to lead 5-2 after a McCrone escape. Robinson added a takedown to lead 8-2 after five minutes. Starting neutral, Robinson made it 11-2 with a takedown. McCrone escaped but with a point for riding time, Robinson won by major decision, 12-3.

133 – (2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1

After two minutes, Davino scored the opening takedown for a 3-0 lead to go to the second. Davino chose bottom to start the second and quickly escaped for a 4-0 lead. Davino added a late takedown to lead 7-0 after two periods. Redding escaped to start the third to make it 7-1 Buckeyes. That’s the way if ended for a Davino win by decision, 7-1.

141 – (1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6

Mendez went on top 3-1 with a takedown and Jack escape. Mendez added another takedown on the edge of the mat to finish the period up 6-1. Mendez added three takedowns quickly to jump to a 15-4 advantage. Another pair of takedowns ended the match for a Mendez win by technical fall, 21-6.

149 – (6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3

There was no scoring in the opening the period. Stiles chose bottom to open the second and took the 1-0 lead with an escape for the only points of the middle period. Buesgens evened the bout at 1-all with an escape to open the third. Stiles was awarded a takedown that was challenged by NC State but upheld after video review for a 4-1 lead for the Buckeyes. Buesgens scored a late reversal but Stiles held on for a 4-3 win by decision.

157 – (4) Brandon Cannon (OSU) def. (11) Jackson Arrington (NCST), MD, 9-1

Cannon struck first with a late takedown for a 3-0 lead. Cannon chose bottom to start the second after Arrington deferred. Cannon scored a reversal for a 5-0 advantage after five minutes. The third period started neutral before a Cannon takedown made it 8-0. Arrington earned an escape but with a point for riding time, Cannon got the win by major decision, 9-1.

165 – (19) Will Denny (NCST) def. (11) Paddy Gallagher (OSU), SV-1, 6-5

Denny got on the board first with a takedown at the edge of the mat. Gallagher escaped to make it 3-1 Wolfpack at the end of the opening period. Gallagher closed the gap with an escape early in the second before taking the lead with a takedown to make it 5-4 after a Denny escape. The third started with Denny choosing bottom. He tied it at 5-all with an escape. The match then went to sudden victory. Denny got the win by decision, 6-5 when Gallagher was called for stalling.

174 – (5) Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. (3) Matthew Singleton (NCST), D, 8-4

Neither wrestler scored in the opening three minutes. Kharchla got the reversal for the first points of the match. Singleton then escaped to make it 2-1 Buckeyes. Kharchla scored a takedown to make it 5-2 after a Singleton escape. Singleton chose bottom to start the third and escaped to cut it to 5-3. Kharchla quickly added a takedown for an 8-4 advantage and a win by decision.

At 174, No. 5 Carson Kharchla (Ohio State) earns an 8–4 decision over No. 3 Matthew Singleton (North Carolina State). pic.twitter.com/Zz1SBQeaIT

— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) December 13, 2025

184 – (6) Dylan Fishback (OSU) def. Don Cates (NCST), MD, 12-1

Fishback opened the scoring with a takedown at the edge of the circle. Cates escaped before another Fishback takedown made it 6-1 before the end of the first. Fishback upped the lead with an early escape before adding another takedown for a 10-1 lead. Fishback finished off the match to win by major decision, 12-1.

197 – (14) Luke Geog (OSU) def. Cason Howle (NCST), MD, 17-4

Just a minute into the bout Geog scored the opening points with a takedown. Howle escaped before Geog added a takedown and a four-point nearfall to lead 10-1 after three minutes. Howle added an escape point to open the second. Geog, leading 10-2, escaped to open the third before adding a takedown for a 14-3 advantage. Another takedown got the win by major decision, 17-4.

HWT – (2) Isaac Trumble (NCST) def. (3) Nick Feldman (OSU), D, 5-1

Trumble jumped to a 3-0 lead with a takedown and built nearly 90 seconds of riding time before a Feldman escape make it 3-1. Trumble escaped to open the second to take a 4-1 lead into the third. Trumble finished off the match with a 5-1 win by decision with a point for riding time.

Up Next:

Ohio State will travel to Nashville Dec. 21 for the 2025 Collegiate Duals where they will take on Little Rock and No. 3 Iowa State.

Wt.	No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 9 NC State	OSU	NCST
125	(1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3	0	4
133	(2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1	3	4
141	(1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6	8	4
149	(6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3	11	4
157	(4) Brandon Cannon (OSU) def. (11) Jackson Arrington (NCST), MD, 9-1	15	4
165	(19) Will Denny (NCST) def. (11) Paddy Gallagher (OSU), SV-1, 6-5	15	7
174	(5) Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. (3) Matthew Singleton (NCST), D, 8-4	18	7
184	(6) Dylan Fishback (OSU) def. Don Cates (NCST), MD, 12-1	22	7
197	(14) Luke Geog (OSU) def. Cason Howle (NCST), MD, 17-4	26	7
HWT	(2) Isaac Trumble (NCST) def. (3) Nick Feldman (OSU), D, 5-1	26	10
	Attendance: 3,895

#GoBucks

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Ohio

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

Published

20 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio Goes to the Movies, the statewide film festival launching in February, is coming into focus. Organizers have released the initial schedule for the nearly yearlong event. Part of the state’s America 250 celebration, it will bring more than 280 screenings to all 88 counties. Each film is tied to the Buckeye State in some way, and all screenings are free.

“Ohio has played a significant role in the history of American film and continues to attract talent, productions and storytelling that resonate around the world,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio Goes to the Movies ensures that residents in every community can participate in the America 250 celebration and rediscover the films that connect us.”

From classic movies starring or made by Ohioans to Hollywood blockbusters shot in downtown Cleveland, the lineup highlights the depth of the state’s influence on the film industry. The festival is also meant to encourage movie fans to explore the state by attending screenings all over Ohio.

Here’s a list of events planned for Northeast Ohio’s seven-county region.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Feb. 12. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall.

“Major League.” March 1. Cinemark Strongsville at SouthPark Mall.

“Draft Day.” March 1. Cinemark Valley View.

“Welcome to Collinwood.” March 12. Cleveland History Center.

“Major League.” April 5. Capitol Theatre.

“Cool Hand Luke.” April 12. Cedar Lee Theatre.

“Draft Day.” April 23. Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square.

“Toy Story 2.” June 24. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival HQ.

“The Scarlet Letter.” July 11. Cleveland Silent Film Festival at Cleveland Public Library.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” July 11. Great Lakes Science Center.

“More Than a Game.” Sept. 11. AMC Ridge Park Square.

“Superman.” Sept. 18. AMC Westwood Town Center.

“Passing Through.” Sept. 19. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.

“Kill the Irishman.” Oct. 6. Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore.

GEAUGA COUNTY

“A Christmas Story.” June 11. Mayfield Road Drive-In Theatre.

LAKE COUNTY

“White Boy Rick.” March 11. Regal Willoughby Commons.

“Superman.” April 8. Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium.

“Air Force One.” July 7. Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center.

LORAIN COUNTY

“The Princess Bride.” April 22. Apollo Theatre.

“The Hunger Games.” Sept. 18. Regal Cobblestone Square.

MEDINA COUNTY

“Major League.” March 7. Hickory Ridge Cinema.

“Draft Day.” Sept. 12. Regal Medina.

PORTAGE COUNTY

“Unstoppable.” Feb. 22. Atlas Cinemas Barrington.

“Dog Man.” March 8. The Kent Stage.

“The Philadelphia Story.” March 19. Kent State University Museum.

“A Christmas Story.” June 10. Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre.

SUMMIT COUNTY

“The Big Short.” Feb. 21. Regal Hudson.

“The Avengers.” April 12. Akron Civic Theatre.

“Howard the Duck.” May 21. The Nightlight Cinema.

“Down by Law.” June 13. Akron–Summit County Public Library Main.

For a complete guide, go to ohiogoestothemovies.org.

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Ohio

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A fire destroyed one home and damaged two others Wednesday evening, but then rekindled early Thursday morning and destroyed another home, police said.

The fire was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the 300 block of Wetzgall Street in Pomeroy, according to a press release from the Pomeroy Police Department.

According to police, the fire spread to the two homes on either side of the original home on fire. Firefighters contained the fire and saved the two surrounding homes, but the home that first caught fire was deemed a total loss.

Then, just after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, the fire rekindled and spread to one of the other homes, resulting in a total loss of that home as well, police said.

Pomeroy police said both homes were occupied at the time of the fires, but all occupants of each home were able to exit their homes safely. Police also said that there were no reported injuries, though both families lost everything they owned due to the total losses of the homes.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the incident is still under active investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to police.

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