Marijuana money on the way

SANDUSKY — Communities across Ohio that have marijuana dispensaries are finally getting the tax revenues they were promised. Local communities slated to receive money from the Ohio Department of Taxation include Perkins Township, Huron, Norwalk and Fremont. Here's a breakdown of revenue by location, according to a spreadsheet released by the Ohio Department of Taxation: • Perkins Township: $284,000 • Fremont: $73,000 • Huron: $40,000 • Norwalk: $15,000 • Tiffin: $51,000 Perkins has two dispensaries. Huron has one. Norwalk's only one opened in September. Officials representing Perkins Township have discussed possible uses for these funds. "The board of trustees have not made any final determination on the use of cannabis excise tax revenue. It is, however, likely that it will be earmarked for public safety use and probably for the new central fire station," township administrator Gary Boyle said. Tax dollars to be doled out Voters approved adult-use marijuana sales in 2023 and sales at licensed dispensaries began in August 2024. The state question included a 10% tax on consumer purchases with local communities getting a cut, but further action by the Ohio General Assembly was needed for the money to be sent. That finally occurred late last year. As of Thursday, city officials in Perkins Township and Huron said they hadn't received the money yet. Apparently, they will get it soon. "The December distribution will be issued on time by the end of this month," said Andrea Lannom, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Taxation. Cleveland officials reported a few days ago that the city had received its marijuana tax revenues. The spreadsheet issued by tax officials shows that almost $36 million in marijuana tax revenue is being distributed this month. The largest payment, about $4.8 million, is going to the City of Columbus. Local communities are allowed to decide whether to allow marijuana dispensaries, so the distribution only goes to communities that have such dispensaries. The state gets 64% of the marijuana tax revenue, with local communities getting the rest.