Ohio Senate Bill 56 is looking to increase the excise sales tax on recreational marijuana sales from 10% to 15%.
Darius Walters, with Nar Reserve, a dispensary in downtown Columbus, said he can’t imagine a higher tax.
“Politics play a big role in our economy every day. It would be ridiculous to not pay attention to what’s going on with our board and how it affects our business,” said Walters.
He thinks if a higher tax were to happen, it would push customers to a different avenue of marijuana sales.
“I think it will push the medicinal side more. It’s very cheap to get a medicinal card,” he said.
The tax revenue from recreational sales is set for four different categories.
One of the categories is the cannabis social equity and jobs fund, which is used for social equity and job initiatives. Senate Bill 56 looks to get rid of that fund.
The bill also wants to limit the number of home-grown marijuana plants to six per household. Right now, a household with two people can have up to 12 plants.
For Walters, he said he expected there to be potential changes from the legislature about marijuana sales. But he said overall, he knows the sale of marijuana in Ohio will benefit people.
“The money will help the community once it gets allocated and designated for the specific categories,” said Walters.
You can read the full Senate bill here: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb5
Read: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/ohio-bill-increase-sales-tax-on-recreational-marijuana/530-f6b443ec-ae39-4daf-9bda-b4b9a103144c
