WARREN — City Council is set to vote Wednesday on a resolution opposing Ohio Senate Bill 56, which would overhaul the state’s cannabis laws and redirect tax revenue away from local communities.

Councilman Michael O’Brien, D-at Large, the lead sponsor of the resolution, argues the bill undermines the will of voters and threatens critical funding for cities like Warren.

“The city of Warren decided to permit dispensaries with the understanding that we’d be recipients of the tax revenue generated,” O’Brien said. “This legislation would take that revenue and redistribute it to the state, leaving us with just a fraction of what we were promised.”

SB 56 proposes increasing the excise tax on cannabis sales from 10% to 15% and redirecting all revenue to Ohio’s general fund. Previously, 36% of the tax revenue was allocated to communities hosting dispensaries.

O’Brien estimates Warren could lose up to $500,000 annually — funds he said are crucial for public safety, infrastructure and other local services.

The bill also includes stricter regulations, such as banning public cannabis consumption, reducing the number of plants households can grow and capping THC levels in products.

O’Brien criticized the changes, saying they go against the will of voters who approved Ohio’s cannabis legalization in 2023.

“The people of Trumbull County and the state representative district voted overwhelmingly in favor of the issue as written,” O’Brien said. “Now, the governor wants to change it, and the result will be communities like Warren losing out while cities like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati benefit.”

Warren has one operational dispensary, gLeaf, at 2932 Youngstown Road SE, with another, Beyond Hello, slated to open soon at 2107 Elm Road NE.

Warren is not alone in its opposition. Nearby Niles, which recently welcomed a new cannabis dispensary operated by AYR Wellness, also has voiced concerns about the bill. During a recent council meeting, Niles Councilman Doug Sollitto, D-at Large, said local revenue was a “big factor,” in getting a dispensary in the area.

“We were going to support the will of the voters of Niles and Trumbull County,” Sollitto said, calling it a “slap in the face to change it now.”

Austintown Township Trustee Robert Santos, president of the Mahoning County Townships Association, earlier this month urged county residents and officials to contact state lawmakers and voice opposition to SB 56.

“What’s frustrating is that when the residents went to the ballot box, it was there in the ballot language,” Santos said previously. “They voted with the understanding that this money would be coming to local communities. To have it removed afterward is disenfranchising the voter and it is un-American.”

He said the township faced similar frustration after the Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course opened.

O’Brien said that while the bill’s THC limits could impact dispensary operations, his primary concern is the loss of local revenue.

“This isn’t just about dispensaries — it’s about job creation, filling vacant properties, and supporting our local economy,” O’Brien said. “Taking away this revenue will strain our budget and hurt our ability to provide essential services.”

O’Brien’s resolution was shared with him by other local leaders, including officials in Struthers and Hubbard, who also oppose the bill.

The resolution will be sent to State Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Howland, and State Sen. Sandra O’Brien, R-Lenox, urging them to oppose SB 56. As the vote approaches, O’Brien remains steadfast in his opposition.

“We’ve seen this movie before,” he said. “Warren always ends up on the short end of the stick when it comes to redistributing tax dollars. This time, we’re fighting back.”