To the editor:
In November 2023, Ohio voters passed Issue 2 with the promise that cannabis tax revenue would support local communities. Yet state lawmakers are now working to strip away those funds. House Bill 160 and Senate Bill 56 propose changes that will divert much-needed revenue from our city and county budgets into the state’s general fund — leaving local governments to bear the costs without the benefits.
Under Issue 2, the 10% excise tax on adult-use cannabis was designed to help the communities that host dispensaries. However, HB 160 reduces the share of tax revenue allocated to cities and counties and proposes cutting local funding entirely after five years. This means that while dispensaries will continue generating revenue, our local governments could be left with nothing to offset infrastructure, public safety, and administrative costs.
At the same time, these bills introduce new criminal penalties that will place a financial burden on counties. HB 160 mandates jail time for certain cannabis-related offenses, such as having cannabis in a vehicle outside of the trunk. These unnecessary penalties will increase jail populations, forcing county sheriffs and courts to spend more on enforcement, housing inmates, and processing cases — draining resources from other critical public services.
Local governments should not be expected to shoulder the costs of cannabis regulation while the state siphons away tax revenue. The changes proposed in HB 160 and SB 56 will put our city and county budgets at risk, leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.
We must stand up for our communities and demand that lawmakers respect the will of the voters. Let’s ensure that our city and county budgets get the funding they were promised — not more unfunded mandates.
Don Wirtshafter, Sara Bryant and Cliff Barrows
Grassroots Ohioans
Athens, Ohio
