Ohio House

An initiated statute to legalize marijuana passed in November but Ohio lawmakers are divided on the intent of the voters and where to go from here.

Doctors who fought for Ohio’s abortion access and reproductive rights amendment say they are following state laws that are likely unconstitutional because they lack clear legal guidance on how to proceed.

On Wednesday night—about six hours before Issue 2 became law as is—a bill to change adult-use cannabis laws cleared the Ohio Senate 28-2.

The abortion access and reproductive rights amendment Ohio voters approved with Issue 1 last month goes into effect today.

A House committee voted 8-7 to pass the bill that goes after complaints conservatives have had about what they call “liberal bias” at public universities, though Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) has said Senate Bill 83 doesn’t have the votes to pass the full House.

Ohio House Democrats say they've identified bills that are no longer constitutional since voters approved Issue 1 in November.

The state’s new recreational marijuana passed by nearly 57% of Ohio voters takes effect next Thursday, but Republican lawmakers have said they want to tweak the law before that.

After a number of tries in the last four decades, Wednesday is the first time such legislation made it to—and through—the full House chamber.

When state lawmakers return from the Thanksgiving break, the House could take up a bill that further expands gun rights in Ohio, by allowing people to carry weapons into buildings that have courtrooms in them, but not when court is in session.

Rep. Elliot Forhan (D-South Euclid) is asking Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens for help after he was stripped of committee assignments and his building access badge was suspended.