Legalize and Repair
While much of our state and federal drug policy criminalizes addiction and enforcement often targets low-income communities and people of color, the ACLU of Ohio works for fair and sensible drug policies that will support safe and healthy communities across Ohio.
Legalize and Repair: Cannabis Use in Ohio
Overview
In November 2023, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a measure legalizing recreational cannabis use, known at the time as Issue 2. Almost immediately, a group of lawmakers introduced legislation to roll back key voter-approved provisions. Notably, these rollback attempts created new criminal cannabis-related offenses and took a torch to the cannabis social equity and jobs program. Despite immense pushback from their constituents, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 56 and it was signed by Governor DeWine in late 2025. The legislation conflicts with both of the ACLU of Ohio’s cannabis policy goals: legalize and repair the harms of past criminalization.
Next Steps
At the ACLU of Ohio, we want to ensure all Ohioans understand the law, its limitations, and its potential. We know that the legalization of cannabis for adult use in our state shows progress. However, we recognize the harms – many of them ongoing – of the failed War on Drugs, disproportionately falling on our Black and brown communities, and all those who have been harmed by cannabis criminalization. Our fight to decriminalize cannabis and repair the harms of past criminalization continues.
Resources
The Latest
Substitute Senate Bill 56 – Opponent Testimony
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