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BREAKING DOWN THE BUD: OHIO SENATE PASSES BILL THAT NIXES SOCIAL EQUITY FUND PUT
IN PLACE UNDER ISSUE 2

SOCIAL EQUITY AND JOBS FUND IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO COMMUNITIES
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

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By Gabby Hart
Published: Dec. 8, 2023 at 2:11 PM HST|Updated: 37 minutes ago
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Ohio Senate has approved House Bill 86, a bill that
makes significant changes to Issue 2, the state’s new law legalizing
recreational marijuana.

Among the most controversial changes is the elimination of the Social Equity and
Jobs Fund, which was intended to provide resources to communities
disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana.

Tom Haren, a spokesperson for Issue 2, criticized the bill, saying “To me, what
it says is the Ohio Senate wasn’t interested in respecting the will of the
voters. This is not thoughtful lawmaking.”

Under Issue 2, 36% of tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales would have
gone into the Social Equity and Jobs Fund.



This fund was intended to support programs aimed at criminal justice reform,
bail reform, education, legal aid, youth development, and violence prevention in
communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

However, House Bill 86 eliminates the Social Equity and Jobs Fund entirely.

Governor Mike DeWine’s office defended the bill, saying that it still contains
numerous programs that fall under social equity.

They sent the following statement:



The Senate amendments which the Governor endorsed contain numerous programs
which fall under social equity. Specifically, there is a significant amount that
will be dedicated to funding the costs of individuals to expunge their criminal
records of marijuana crimes. This goes directly to social equity and jobs for
those marginalized by past marijuana activity. The amendments also fund a
significant amount of law enforcement training to ensure the law is properly
enforced and therefore not “overpoliced,” as you put it.

Dan Tierney

Press Secretary

Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine



However, Haren argued that these measures are not sufficient. “There is already
robust opportunity for people to have prior misdemeanor marijuana convictions
sealed,” he said.

Furthermore, he argued that local governments already have the resources for
additional law enforcement training under Issue 2.

The bill’s primary sponsor, Jeff LaRe, declined to comment.

House Bill 86 still needs to pass the House before it can become law.



However, the House is currently considering another bill, House Bill 354, which
does include funding for social equity programs.

The future of marijuana legalization in Ohio remains uncertain.

It is unclear whether House Bill 86 or House Bill 354 will ultimately be passed,
and it is possible that the legislature could make further changes to the law.



19 INVESTIGATES – “BREAKING DOWN THE BUD” – AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW



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Possible changes to legal marijuana tax money will be spent

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Ohio gears up for legal weed, but addiction experts sound alarm



Copyright 2023 WOIO. All rights reserved.

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