Marijuana May Be Ohio’s New State Flower

By Contributing Writer on February 6, 2026

February 6, 2026

By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall

Here is another reason that Ohio is “first in aviation, and 47th in everything else”. We wonder what other sin is left to tax…hmmm… maybe sex workers should have a 10% “sexcise tax” imposed, a sales tax may be a little over the top even for our legislators.

Perhaps Governor DeWine and Speaker of the House Matt Huffman may want to designate this as the new State flower. Representative Jamie Callender would likely be a sponsor on that bill since he really likes this issue.

https://ohiohouse.gov/members/jamie-callender/news/ohio-house-passes-cannabis-and-hemp-reform-legislation-138839

Move over Red Carnation, you are being replaced with the Marijuana Plant. We can make so much more money from marijuana sales. Don’t agree? Well, you may want to read this article.

Adult Use Marijuana Tax

In November 2023, Ohio voters legalized the sale of marijuana by state-licensed dispensaries to individuals aged 21 and over. This is known as Adult Use Marijuana (AUM). Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 3780.22 imposes a 10% excise tax on these sales of marijuana by dispensaries to consumers. Sales Tax is imposed on the consumer at the time of sale and collected by the dispensary.

Ohio Senate Bill 56 (SB 56), signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in December 2025 and set to take effect on March 20, 2026, is a major overhaul of Ohio’s recreational marijuana and intoxicating hemp laws. The law restricts the voter-approved 2023 legalization, aiming to regulate intoxicating hemp while imposing stricter controls on adult-use cannabis.

From the start of adult-use (recreational) cannabis sales in August 2024 through November 2025, the state of Ohio collected over $35 million in excise tax revenue for local, host communities, with total tax proceeds estimated at over $100 million during that period.

As of early 2026, the industry has generated significant tax revenue:

Total Tax Proceeds (Aug 2024–Nov 2025): Approx. $103 million in total tax, which includes the 10% excise tax, plus standard state and local sales taxes.
Host Community Fund: More than $35 million in excise tax has been distributed to approximately 100 municipalities and townships that host dispensaries.
Total Sales: Adult-use marijuana sales topped $836 million in 2025.

WE ARE WILLING TO BET THAT NOT ONE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN ON THEIR TAXPAYERS.

Key Details on Tax Allocation:

10% Excise Tax: The state imposes a 10% excise tax on adult-use sales.
Distribution: Under current law (as amended by Senate Bill 56), 36% of the 10% excise tax goes to the Host Community Cannabis Fund, while the remaining 64% goes to the state’s general fund.
Top Tax Generators: Columbus received $4.7 million, Cincinnati received $2.5 million, and Dayton received $1.2 million in tax revenue as of Feb 2026.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY 36% OF THE EXCISE TAX IS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THE STATE’S GENERAL FUND GETS REMAINING 64%. THIS IS STANDARD FARE FOR OUR STATE LEGISLATORS. THE MAJORITY OF THE TAX REVENUE IS KEPT BY THE STATE. MONEY EQUATES TO POWER FOR OUR POLITICIANS. THEY KEEP THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, THE DONOR CLASS, HAPPY SO THAT CAMPAIGN DONATIONS CONTINUE.

Note: Medical marijuana sales are exempt from this specific 10% excise tax.

Key Provisions of SB 56

Intoxicating Hemp Ban: Reclassifies intoxicating hemp (such as Delta-8) as “marijuana,” restricting its sale to state-licensed dispensaries and removing it from general retail shelves.
Transportation & Storage: Requires cannabis to be transported in a sealed, unopened container. It must be in the trunk or behind the last upright seat in vehicles without a trunk.
Out-of-State Purchase Ban: Makes it illegal to bring marijuana purchased in other states (e.g., Michigan) into Ohio.
Potency Caps & Limits: Reduces maximum THC levels for concentrates to 70% (down from 90%) and caps flower at 35%.
Public Consumption & Safety: Prohibits smoking or vaping marijuana in most public places, with violations as a minor misdemeanor.
Employment & Housing: Removes certain discrimination protections, allowing employers to fire workers for cannabis use and landlords to ban smoking/vaping.
Licensing & Revenue: Caps the number of dispensaries at 400 statewide and directs 36% of excise tax revenue to host communities.

Opposition and Referendum Effort

Pro-cannabis advocates and some Democrats have criticized the bill as a “disaster” and a violation of the will of voters who approved legalization in 2023.

Referendum Petition: A group called “Ohioans for Cannabis Choice” is currently collecting signatures to place a repeal of SB 56 on the November 2026 ballot.
Signature Requirement: The group needs to collect 248,092 valid signatures by March 20, 2026, to block the law.
Attorney General Approval: On February 3, 2026, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost certified the title and summary language for this referendum, allowing the petition to move forward.

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