Ohio cities with marijuana dispensaries won’t receive tax money until lawmakers agree on changes to Issue 2, which voters approved in 2023

• Ohio is withholding tax revenue from cities with marijuana dispensaries until state lawmakers agree on cannabis and hemp regulations.
• Local governments express frustration over the withheld funds, while state officials claim they lack the constitutional authority to release the money without a specific appropriation.
• The debate over marijuana and hemp regulation will continue in the fall.

Ohio will continue to withhold money from cities with marijuana dispensaries after Republican efforts to change cannabis and hemp laws came up empty.

The two-year budget approved by the House and Senate maintains current funding for municipalities, which is 36% of the tax revenue from adult-use cannabis sales. But lawmakers won’t release that money until they reach an agreement on rules for marijuana and intoxicating hemp products.

Republicans hoped to have a deal on marijuana before the Legislature’s summer break, but it didn’t happen − punting the issue to later this year. Local leaders say that puts them in the difficult spot of trying to fund services without money they were promised.

“What they’re saying is if we can take your lunch money, we will,” said David Kubicki, chairman of Columbia Township Trustees.

Ohio lawmakers reach impasse on marijuana, hemp

As approved by voters in 2023, Issue 2 divides marijuana revenue between local communities, a social equity program, substance use research and administrative costs. The budget keeps local funding in place and directs the rest to Ohio’s general bank account.

Republicans pledged early on to dismantle the social equity program, which aimed to diversify the industry and right the wrongs of cannabis prohibition. State regulators have allowed the program to languish amid uncertainty about its future.

But that’s not the only part of Issue 2 lawmakers want to change.

The House and Senate spent months negotiating over Senate Bill 56, which would revise Issue 2 and govern gray market cannabis such as delta-8. The latest version regulates the gifting of home-grown cannabis, allows up to 400 dispensaries and permits smoking only at private residences and outdoor concert venues.

“We need to specify that they can have more dispensaries, for example, rather than a tightly locked number,” Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, said. “The only way we’re going to drive the price down to be more competitive with other states is to have more dispensaries.”

The sweltering temperatures around Ohio are hanging around, and that extreme heat has cut power at times to thousands around the state.

Depending on the electrical service in your area, you can check the latest status of your power outage, how widespread the outage is, an estimated restoration time and more. Ohio residents can draw power from FirstEnergy, Ohio Edison, AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, The Illuminating Co., AES Ohio, Cleveland Public Power and Toledo Edison.

Here’s where to find their power outage maps.

Heat wave: Will the Ohio heat cause power outages, rolling blackouts? How to stay safe, keep food cold

FirstEnergy, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison and The Illuminating Co. power outage map

You can check the power outage map here. You can also report your outage here or reach them by phone about outages at 888-544-4877.

FirstEnergy reminds customers to call 911 immediately if you see a downed power line. Stay at least 30 feet away and instruct others to do the same.

AEP Ohio power outage map

Customers of AEP Ohio can view its power outage map here. You can report an outage here or by calling 800-672-2231.

Save power: AEP Ohio calls for emergency energy-saving during heat wave to prevent rolling blackouts

Duke Energy power outage map

Duke Energy customers can find a map of power outages here. To report an electrical outage, click here or call 800-343-3525.

Duke’s map also has the ability to show outage histories and a current summary of known issues and how many customers are impacted.

AES Ohio power outage map

You can check the power outage map here. You can also report your outage here or reach them by phone 24/7 about outages at 877-468-8243.

Cleveland Public Power outage map

Cleveland Public Power customers can view the outage map here. To report an outage, click here or call 216-664-3156.

How to check other Ohio power outages

For any companies not listed above, check our power outages database that aggregates power outage information from more than 1,000 companies nationwide.

• Ohio’s proposed budget includes a flat income tax of 2.75% for earners above $26,051.
• $600 million in unclaimed funds would go toward a new Cleveland Browns stadium and entertainment district.
• The budget awaits Gov. DeWine’s signature or veto by July 1.

Ohio Republicans will cut taxes for people who earn six figures and use Ohioans’ abandoned money to help pay for a new Cleveland Browns stadium.

The proposals are part of the GOP-controlled Legislature’s compromise budget plan. The House and Senate passed their own versions of the two-year spending bill, then spent days behind closed doors to hash out differences.

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Both chambers are expected to vote on the budget June 25 and send it to Gov. Mike DeWine, who must sign it before July 1. DeWine can also veto individual items he doesn’t support.

Here’s what we know about the budget so far.

Ohio flat income tax

The final budget maintains an income tax cut for Ohioans who earn six figures and taxes everyone making over $26,051 at 2.75%. Currently, the state taxes income over $100,000 at 3.5% and income earned between $26,051 and $100,000 at 2.75%.

People who make less than $26,051 don’t pay income taxes.

“We found a way to give that important new tax relief to Ohioans while also doing a lot of the priorities that we had here in the House,” said Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, the chief budget negotiator for the House.

The flat tax is the culmination of years of work by Republicans to slash Ohio’s income tax. DeWine has expressed concern about further tax cuts but declined to say June 23 whether he would sign a flat tax into law.

Cleveland Browns stadium set to get $600M in Ohio unclaimed funds