Two central Ohio cities took opposite stances last week on whether to allow recreational marijuana businesses within their borders.
In November 2023, Ohio voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana, and the law officially took effect on August 6, 2024. But almost immediately, dozens of municipalities across the state moved to halt new cannabis businesses, citing uncertainty over state regulations and public safety concerns.
As of August 6, 2025, 138 Ohio municipalities or townships have enacted moratoriums on adult-use cannabis businesses, impacting less than 15% of the state’s population.
Circleville was among the cities to pass such a ban. On August 6, 2024, its City Council approved a moratorium, citing the lack of state guidance on licensing and rules for adult-use cannabis stores, as well as “citizen safety.” Last week, the council voted to extend that moratorium for another year. In the meantime, some local shops have begun selling hemp-derived products, which remain legal.
Grove City, however, is moving in the opposite direction. Last week, the city council advanced an ordinance that would repeal its moratorium, saying they want to “align closer to the state’s law” on marijuana. The ordinance passed a second reading despite opposition from some residents and support from others. It will now move to a third and final reading.
Critics of local bans argue that prohibiting licensed cannabis businesses could result in lost tax revenue, missed opportunities for economic growth, and may push consumers toward unregulated, illegal markets. Meanwhile, some municipalities that allowed dispensaries to open are now frustrated that tax revenue has been delayed due to the lack of appropriation language in the state’s legalization law.
As of now, Marijuana in Ohio is still a hot-button debate despite the legalization almost two years ago.
