Meeting Notice
Next Regular Meeting is Monday, April 28th 7 p.m. at the Township Bldg.
Senate Bill 56 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio Senate
State Operating Budget:
Potential Adult Use-Marijuana Law Change
Last night, Governor DeWine released the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Executive Budget Blue Book, which outlines the Governor’s priorities for the biennium. While the budget language has not been released yet, the OTA wants to highlight a key item from the blue book and bring to your attention significant changes that could affect your community.
Adult-Use Marijuana Law Changes
The Governor’s Blue Book suggests changes to the adult-use marijuana law. The most notable change that affects townships is the elimination of the community host fee. Under current law, townships that allow adult-use marijuana dispensaries to operate within their boundaries receive a portion of the revenue generated by sales. The law imposes a 10% excise tax on the sale to consumers of adult-use marijuana and 36% of the 10% tax is distributed to the community that has adult-use dispensaries.
The Governor’s budget proposal aligns with the As Passed by the Senate version of House Bill 86 from last General Assembly, which would have repealed the community host fee for adult-use marijuana and reallocated revenue distribution. While the bill did not ultimately pass, HB 86 would have directed tax revenue received toward county jail construction and renovation all while reducing funding for townships and municipalities that host facilities to nothing (0%).
The Senate has reintroduced the language of HB 86 as SB 56 in the 136th General Assembly. SB 56 also proposes to eliminate revenue sharing with local governments but would shift 100% of the excise tax to the state’s general revenue fund.
What This Means for Your Township:
If your township has already opted to allow adult-use marijuana businesses, the proposed elimination of the community host fee will result in a loss of anticipated revenue. While your revenue would be eliminated by the General Assembly, you would not be permitted to revoke permits of already approved dispensaries.