Rule Violations by Cannabis Businesses Ahead of Sales

Ohio Cannabis Industry Faces Penalties for Premature Marketing Ahead of Legal Recreational Sales

As Ohio approaches the first day of legal recreational marijuana sales, several businesses are already facing penalties for jumping the gun on marketing. In the weeks leading up to the launch, five licensees were fined for breaching Ohio’s stringent cannabis advertising and marketing rules, which require preapproval from the Division of Cannabis Control for all promotional materials, including emails and website content. Violations included everything from parking an ice cream truck near a dispensary to mistakenly indicating that recreational marijuana sales were already allowed, weeks before official approval was granted. The state has issued fines totaling $212,500, highlighting the importance of compliance as the market gears up for a new era of cannabis sales.

Family Tradition

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno is working to revive his family’s car-sales business while campaigning for office. Property records reveal that a Moreno-associated company spent $9.5 million on land in Delaware County, near an outlet mall off Interstate 71. The plan is to set up the business for his 26-year-old son, with groundbreaking scheduled around the November election. Financial disclosures filed by Moreno and his opponent, Sen. Sherrod Brown, highlight the significant financial gap between the candidates, with Moreno’s net worth in the tens of millions, compared to Brown’s $660,000.

Lock Up

The U.S. Department of Justice recently upheld the conviction of former House Speaker Larry Householder, arguing that evidence clearly shows he accepted bribes from FirstEnergy in exchange for political favors. Prosecutors dismissed Householder’s legal arguments, emphasizing that the trial evidence, including personal expenditures funded by the bribes, leaves little room for doubt.

Snubbed

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens found himself left out when the Ohio Republican Party endorsed all other GOP candidates for federal and state office. While the snub is unlikely to impact Stephens, who is running unopposed, it reflects ongoing dissatisfaction within the party about his election as Speaker, which was secured with the help of Democratic votes.

Property Taxes

Following a recent appraisal that saw property values soar in Cuyahoga County, residents are voicing concerns about upcoming tax bills. County Executive Chris Ronayne and local Democratic legislators are urging the state’s Republican-controlled legislature to pass property tax relief bills, aiming to alleviate financial pressure on homeowners.

Police Funding

Northeast Ohio police departments will receive grants from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, which will be used to purchase patrol vehicles and support law enforcement hiring and training. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown praised the grants as critical investments in safety and resources for law enforcement officers.

Under Pressure

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the Biden administration pressured his team to censor COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, during the pandemic. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Zuckerberg expressed regret over not resisting the administration’s demands more forcefully, highlighting ongoing tensions between social media companies and government oversight.

Scene of the Crime

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce recently joined a bipartisan task force investigating a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. After visiting the crime scene in Butler, Pennsylvania, Joyce emphasized the need to identify security failures and ensure such an incident never happens again.

Supreme Decision

The Ohio Supreme Court race is heating up, with all Republican candidates endorsed by Ohio Right to Life, while Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio backs the Democratic contenders. The court’s decisions on Ohio’s new abortion rights amendment are expected to be pivotal in the coming months.

Smish This

The Ohio Turnpike Commission is warning residents of “smishing” scams, where fraudsters send texts claiming unpaid tolls. The commission clarified that it never requests payments via text, urging Ohioans to stay vigilant against such scams.

Lobbying Lineup

House Bill 300, proposing a pilot program for remote methadone treatment, has seen lobbying efforts from five organizations, including Centene Corp. and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. The bipartisan bill aims to improve access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, especially for those living far from treatment centers.

On the Move

State Sen. Steve Huffman, a Dayton-area Republican, was recently recognized by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) of Ohio for his contributions to small business. Huffman was commended for his perfect NFIB voting record and leadership on key issues like income tax, business grants, and health insurance.