As state legislators were sworn into office this week in Columbus, leadership in both chambers outlined their top priorities, including reforms to Ohio’s recreational marijuana laws.

“Many of us realized and believe that there were some fundamental flaws in the initiative,” said Speaker of the House Matt Huffman late last year, prior to his election as Speaker.

Governor Mike DeWine also signaled his support and urgency for lawmakers to ban or greatly regulate synthetic hemp products like Delta-8.

“There’s no reason that it shouldn’t be abolished,” DeWine said. “There’s no reason, at the very least, that it shouldn’t be sold in the same way – with the same requirements, regulations, and safeguards – as we’re selling marijuana today.” 1/9/2024