It’s unlikely Ohioans will see their lawmakers try to make any quick changes to the recreational marijuana law voted in last November, including by a large margin in Cuyahoga County. Gov. Mike DeWine and Senate President Matt Huffman want them to make numerous changes, such as increasing the 10% marijuana sales tax and reducing maximum THC limits for cannabis products. The reason not to expect modifications soon is the House can’t reach a consensus of “what needs to be different than what the people passed,” Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens told reporters. It’s difficult for an Ohio voter to find fault with that statement, though there are probably many who want to see one change the governor has requested — permitting medical marijuana dispensaries to sell recreational products immediately. The law, however, is still expected to be altered through a mix of administrative rules and legislation later this year. — Kristen Davis |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Under Ohio’s new marijuana law, it’s now legal for adults 21 and older in the state to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per person, as well as grow up to six marijuana plants in their home (or up to 12 plants if at least two adults live there). (cleveland.com file photo) |
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Marijuana law: Ohio lawmakers are unlikely to take any action to change the state’s new recreational marijuana law, at least before the state starts sending out licensing applications to dispensaries in June, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Speaker Jason Stephens has so far resisted calls for the House to quickly pass changes, saying he sees no rush to change what voters approved. Witness list: Witnesses in the bribery case against a top utility regulator include dozens of politicians, officials and executives, reports Jake Zuckerman. State attorneys filed their witness list late Monday as part of the pre-trial evidence exchange process. It includes 61 people, although not all will necessarily be called to testify. Community development: The first funding shakeup in 20 years could mean big changes for some Cleveland neighborhoods. Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is changing the funding model used since the early 2000s, reports Courtney Astolfi. As a result, it hopes it will give every neighborhood the tools it needs to build strong community development corporations to spur progress. Browns stadium: As Jimmy and Dee Haslam consider whether to build a domed stadium near the airport or renovate the existing stadium along the lakefront, could the Federal Aviation Administration have a say? Sabrina Eaton reports the FAA released a statement saying developers must give it the opportunity to evaluate proposed structures near airports to determine whether they could pose a hazard to aircraft or interfere with navigation aids. Today in Ohio: A member of City Council is pushing for Cleveland to enforce Ohio’s so-called “Art Modell law” if the owners of the Browns attempt to pull up stakes from the lakefront and move to a new stadium in Brook Park. We’re talking on Today in Ohio about how the Haslams might soon find themselves on the other side of the Modell law than they were a few years ago. |
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Court case: The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case involving a challenge of a Columbus ordinance restricting gun rights within the city’s limits. The court's eventual ruling could have broader implications for how future abortion-related challenges are dealt with in the courts, reports Andrew Tobias. Broadband access: Officials are seeking money to keep broadband subsidies for more than 1 million Ohioans from expiring in May. The program enacted as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps more than 23 million households nationwide get online and stay online, including vulnerable seniors, veterans, school-aged children, and residents of rural and Tribal communities, reports Sabrina Eaton. Teacher pay: Ohio educators would receive a pay bump under a Democratic-sponsored bill that seeks to increase base salaries for new teachers with a bachelor’s degree from $35,000 a year to $50,000. The bill would also proportionally increase minimum pay for educators with different degree levels and experience, reports Laura Hancock. Ohio House speaker: A brewing battle for the Ohio House speaker’s gavel is starting to go public. Jeremy Pelzer reports Senate President Matt Huffman has started to publicly indicate his interest in unseating current Speaker Jason Stephens. |
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Building demolition: Three industrial buildings on Cleveland’s West Side are set for demolition. The Welding Ring Products Co. is asking the Cleveland Planning Commission to approve the demolition of three of its industrial buildings, reports Megan Sims. Public hearing: Several nominees for Cuyahoga County’s newly created Women’s Health Commission had their first nomination hearings yesterday. Lucas Daprile reports nominees who spoke Tuesday during a Human Resources, Appointments and Equity Committee meeting shared several common threads, including the need to reduce the area’s high rates of infant mortality. Native plants: While forsythia bushes are a popular spring plant in Northeast Ohio, Susan Brownstein explains why she removed the fast-growing non-native species from her yard and replaced it with native spicebushes. Fatal crash: The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's office has released the identities of a 16-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy who died in a crash Monday on Interstate 90, reports Olivia Mitchell. Cleveland police did not provide information on how the crash happened or if the victims were related. |
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Cleaning products: Are household cleaning products harming your brain? Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports a new study from Case Western Reserve University has found that common household chemicals could damage supporting cells in the brain during critical stages of their development and could be linked to neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and autism spectrum disorders. Revenue numbers: Ohio’s casinos and racinos had a steady month in February, reports Sean McDonnell. The state’s 11 casinos and racinos brought in a combined $197.2 million of revenue in February, up slightly from $197 million in February 2023. Surgery vs. drugs: Research by the Cleveland Clinic and three other U.S. medical centers suggests that bariatric surgery provides better long-term control of blood-glucose levels in patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes compared with drugs to help lower blood-sugar levels and promote weight loss. Julie Washington reports about half of the study participants were from the Clinic. Strike ends: A three-month strike at Valley Ford Truck in Valley View has ended. Two dozen workers at the Valley View business have reached an agreement with management on a new contract, reports Sean McDonnell. |
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Arrests made: U.S. marshals have arrested a man and a teenager wanted by Cleveland police on murder charges. Olivia Mitchell reports a 17-year-old girl was arrested in Cleveland and a 21-year-old man was picked up in Huntsville, Alabama. Police shooting: Authorities say an Akron police officer shot a 15-year-old boy who brandished a fake gun at neighborhood homes, reports Olivia Mitchell. After the state investigates, a report of the shooting will be turned over to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for review for possible charges. The case will then be sent to the Summit County grand jury. Charges filed: A former massage therapist is charged with raping a customer and sexually assaulting another during their appointments at a Woodmere spa in 2022. A Cuyahoga County grand jury handed up an indictment Monday charging Nicholas Horvath, 23, with one count of rape, one count of sexual battery and two counts of sexual imposition, reports Cory Shaffer. Warrant issued: Charges have been filed in connection with the death of a Lorain woman who fell out of moving car on Interstate 90 in Cleveland last month, reports Olivia Mitchell. Authorities say Manuel Enrique Perez-Rios drove away after the victim fell. He currently is not in police custody. |
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Final Four: Iowa, South Carolina, North Carolina State and UConn's women’s basketball teams arrived in Cleveland Tuesday ahead of the upcoming NCAA Women’s Final Four at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, David Petkiewicz reports. Lineup revealed: In celebration of its upcoming 65th anniversary season, Dobama Theatre has unveiled its 2024-25 lineup. Joey Morona reports the season includes “Rust,” “POTUS,” and “The Hot Wing King.” Downtown opening: A new sci-fi-themed restaurant has set its opening date, reports Marc Bona. It is owned by the same team behind The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland Heights. Store opening: A new Nordstrom Rack location soon will open in Northeast Ohio. Paris Wolfe reports the store will be located in the former Burlington space at the Macedonia Gateway shopping center. |
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Cleveland could be in store for a week of hazardous weather Read more Akron man gets life in prison for 2022 fatal shooting Read more Bird flu found in dairy cattle herd in Northwest Ohio Read more Medina prepares for nation’s 250th birthday Read more Medina plans rate changes for pool, rec center Read more North Union Farmers Market back in season at Shaker Square this Saturday Read more Neighbors receive belated update on $850,000 Blanche Avenue Extension Project Read more Strongsville outlaws recreational marijuana businesses Read more Akron’s Highland Square Film Festival returns next month; Devo’s work to be highlighted Read more Russos to meet with Cleveland Heights officials about Grocery Outlet in Cedar-Fairmount Read more |
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