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Ohio Legislature Closing in on Tweaks to Voter-Approved Recreational Marijuana Laws

Lawmakers in the Ohio House and Senate are working to close the gap in their chamber’s different approaches to recreational marijuana reform.

That gap has existed since Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana at the ballot box in 2023, with the Ohio Senate broadly pushing for more restrictions than the House was willing to tolerate.

The House adopted a plan to try to find the middle: Amend Senate Bill 56 to include large portions of House Bill 160 and Senate Bill 86.

Here’s the broad overview of the hodgepodge piece of legislation, as things stand:

  • There would be no ban on the sharing of recreational marijuana between of-age adults.
  • The state’s current flat 10% tax would be maintained on recreational sales and expanded onto intoxicating hemp products. Previous plans have sought to raise the tax to 15% or 20%.
  • Intoxicating hemp products would be banned from retail sales and only be purchasable at dispensaries. That’s except for low-dose THC-infused beverages, which could still be sold retail.
  • The state’s current host community financial kickback would be phased out seven years after the bill’s effective date. Previous plans have considered cutting out that funding immediately.
  • The limit of Ohio dispensaries would rise from 350 to 400.
  • The minimum distance between dispensaries would be one mile. Previous plans have looked at a half-mile limit.
  • Public use would be allowed in permitting concert venues. Bars and restaurants still would not have the authority to permit marijuana consumption on their patios or outdoor areas.
  • THC concentration in certain products would be capped at 70%, with Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control having the regulatory power to bump it higher.
  • The bill is likely to see further amendments in the House Judiciary Committee over the coming weeks.
 

Now Open: Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program

If you're a behavioral health clinician, clinical support staff, or trained in substance use disorder treatment, the STAR Loan Repayment Program offers up to $250,000 toward student loans. In return, you’ll commit to six years of full-time service at an approved facility, bringing vital care to communities that need it most.

The application is open now through July 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Learn More & Apply Now

New Security Feature: To start your application, you will set up an account in My BHW. My BHW requires multifactor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of protection to your account and reduces the risk of fraud. With MFA, you must use Google Authenticator on your mobile phone or tablet each time you log in. Follow the Quick Start Guide to set up your authentication. 

Check Your Eligibility

To apply, you must meet these basic requirements: 

  1. United States citizen, national, or permanent resident
  2. Fully licensed, credentialed in an eligible discipline, a registered SUD professional

Full-time employee at a STAR LRP-approved facility

 

 

Youth Behavioral Health Services Assessment Project

The Prevention Action Alliance is working in collaboration with OhioMHAS, RecoveryOhio and Kent State University to identify the gaps and challenges in Ohio’s mental health system, especially for families with children ages 3 – 18. The Youth Behavioral Health Services Assessment Project is a statewide assessment to better understand how children and families in Ohio experience behavioral health services. This includes hearing about experiences families have accessing and receiving behavioral health services and learning what supports families need to improve and maintain their child’s/children’s behavioral health. See the flyer for more information, including the stipend that will be provided to participating families. The project is also seeking feedback from providers including information about barriers to providing services, gaps in services, needed supports and services, and overall experiences working with families. See the flyer for more information, including the stipend that will be provided to participating providers.

 

Register Today: Navigating Employee Terminations with Confidence - May 28 @ 12:00 PM

Vorys Legal Insights for Behavioral Health Care

Join The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers and Vorys for an engaging webinar series. Tailored for professionals navigating the industry’s complex regulatory landscape, this 30-minute monthly series will provide practical insights and guidance from experienced professionals on a wide range of topics including regulatory compliance, provider reimbursement, employment issues, and data security. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your understanding of these and many more legal issues impacting the behavioral health care field.

Webinar #5: Navigating Employee Terminations with Confidence

Whether due to performance issues, misconduct, or organizational changes, employee terminations are among the most sensitive and legally risky actions an employer can take. This session will explore key considerations such as ensuring legal compliance, documenting performance and behavior issues, conducting termination meetings with professionalism and empathy, and minimizing the risk of post-termination claims. By the end of this session, you’ll be prepared to approach terminations with the clarity, care, and confidence needed to protect your organization. 

Click here to register. If you have questions, please contact Alex Yoder.

 

Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Strategic Plan RFP

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is excited to announce the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for individuals or organizations interested in leading the strategic build for OSPF. 

We are seeking innovative and experienced leaders who can help us develop and implement effective strategies that will enhance our mission and impact in the community. The selected candidate or organization will play a crucial role in guiding our initiatives and ensuring that we meet our goals for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

Key Details:

  • RFP Release Date: May 2025
  • Submission Deadline: June 13, 2025
  • Proposal Requirements: Please refer to the attached RFP document for detailed information on submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, and project expectations.

We encourage all interested parties to review the RFP and submit their applications. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause and make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by suicide.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Stephanie Stitt or @Kerry Shaw. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to your proposals!

 
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