Ohio Senate Follows House and Votes to Restrict Intoxicating Hemp to Dispensaries, Tweak Recreational Cannabis Law

The Ohio Senate came back from its holiday break Tuesday to rubber-stamp a House-passed bill that tweaks the state’s voter-approved recreational marijuana laws and bans intoxicating hemp products from retailers.

Senate Bill 56, passed by Senate Republicans along party lines 22-7, now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who has clamored for years now for the state to regulate, and even fully ban, intoxicating hemp products. The bill will go into effect 90 days after his signature.

While there’s a delayed effect for many of the bill’s provisions, the governor’s signature will allow the state to immediately start disbursing the $28.3 million sitting in Ohio’s host community fund, which takes 36% of all recreational marijuana tax proceeds and is supposed to redistribute them back to local governments that are host to recreational dispensaries.

OneOhio Opens Regional Grant Cycle

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Launches Regional Grant Cycle #2. Through a collaborative, region-driven process in Regional Grant Cycle 1, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation awarded more than $45 million to over 240 projects across the state. But this funding represents far more than just grants. The Foundation is investing in the future health, resilience, and strength of our state—and now it’s time to start the next round of investments in Ohio’s future.  

In partnership with its 19 Regions, OneOhio is laying the groundwork for another successful grant cycle by building on lessons from the first round. Drawing from both experience and feedback gathered through regional surveys, the OneOhio team has refined processes to streamline the grant application process for this cycle.  

On December 10, the Foundation posted the Regional Grant Cycle 2 Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting organizations on the frontline lines of Ohio’s opioid epidemic to prepare to submit funding inquiries beginning in early January 2026.

Key Dates

Below is an overview of what to expect as Regional Grant Cycle 2 gets underway:

• Wednesday, December 10: Regional Grant Cycle 2 RFP posted
• Wednesday, January 14: Regional Grant Cycle 2 Funding Inquiry window opens
• Wednesday, February 11: Regional Grant Cycle 2 Funding Inquiry window closes

Additional timeline updates will be announced in 2026.

Grant Webinars

As part of the Foundation’s efforts to support potential applicants throughout this process, we have scheduled the following webinars:

• Tuesday, December 16 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
  Regional Grant Cycle 2 Webinar [Register Here]
• Wednesday, January 7 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
  Regional Grant Cycle 2 Webinar [Register Here]
  
• Wednesday, January 21 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
  Funding Inquiry & Grant Portal Webinar [Register Here]
• Tuesday, January 27 | 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
  Impact Academy: Evidence Guide for Applicants [Register Here]

More information about all upcoming grant-related webinars and events will be posted at OneOhioFoundation.com/Grants and shared via email with those signed up to receive our updates. 

Available Funds

Regional Grant Cycle 2 will allocate up to $45.7 million in awards and will be open to a diverse range of Ohio-based organizations, including non-profits, for-profits, and government entities. The approved Regional Grant Cycle 2 budget is available here. Allocations for each Region follow the legal settlement formulas, with unused funds from Cycle 1 carried forward into Cycle 2.  

Projects must align with funding priorities and pass compliance checks, with funds designated for evidence-informed interventions in prevention, treatment, recovery, and substance use disorder abatement.

Please take a moment to visit OneOhioFoundation.com/Grants for more information and to sign up for updates from the Foundation to ensure you get all the latest information.

The Ohio Council Welcomes 2 New Affiliate Members

1. Hope Town Ohio / Hope Town AI in Windham, OH - Ted St. John, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (330) 389-0127. Hope Town Ohio is a 501c3 non-profit organization that stands dedicated to championing individuals in their pursuit of recovering from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Through an integrated system that includes recovery housing, peer-support networks, employment initiatives, essential transportation services, jail supports and social enterprises. They aim to inspire profound changes and help liberate people to build a foundation for a brighter future. They also have Hope Town AI - At Hope Town AI, our mission is to leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to empower individuals in recovery and the organizations that support them. We aim to create innovative tools and solutions that enhance accessibility, streamline processes, and foster meaningful connections within a recovery ecosystem. Guided by compassion, integrity, and a commitment to personal growth, we strive to transform lives, build stronger communities, and inspire hope for a brighter future. Click here to learn more about Hope Town Ohio and Click here to learn more about Hope Town AI.

2. Mindy Haaf, Independent Contractor located in Portsmouth, OH - Mindy Haaf can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (740) 357-5528. Mindy offers specialized clinical consulting services for Behavioral Health organizations across Ohio, focusing on strategies to drive operational excellence and maximize overall organizational efficiency. Contact Mindy today to learn how she can support you!

The Ohio Council Welcomes 2 New Provider Members

1. Modern Psychiatry & Wellness LLC in Hamilton, OH - Quinton Moss, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (513) 494-4679. Modern Psychiatry & Wellness, LLC provides recovery services for individuals who have problems establishing healthy life skills related to addiction and mental health problems in Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Montgomery counties. Click here to learn more about Modern Psychiatry & Wellness LLC!

2. New Vision Health & Wellness in Euclid, OH - Erica Campbell, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (216) 904-8072. New Vision Health & Wellness provides Medication Management, Therapy, Group & IOP Therapy, Community Outreach, School Based Therapy, and Case Management in Cuyahoga County. Click here to learn more about New Vision Health & Wellness!