Smith Calls for Excise Tax for Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

Today, state Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) released a statement regarding his proposed amendment to House Bill 86, which would allow counties to establish an excise tax on marijuana products.

"Cuyahoga County residents have a history of supporting arts and culture at the ballot box," said Smith. "By allowing Ohio counties to establish an excise tax on marijuana in addition to tobacco products, we can stabilize and increase funding for many valuable community assets, including Playhouse Square, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and countless other community cultural assets. I ask my peers in the Ohio General Assembly to allow the permissive expansion of this excise tax so that local leaders can choose to take advantage of it if it fits their community."

Since 1931, Ohio has had an excise tax on cigarettes. The tax has expanded through the years to include other kinds of tobacco products. In 2006, the General Assembly allowed counties with a population greater than 1.2 million people to implement a tax of up to 30 cents per pack to fund regional arts and cultural districts.

Currently, Cuyahoga County is the only county in the state which takes advantage of this tax. Cuyahoga County voters approved the 30-cent tax in 2006, which became effective in 2007. The tax must be renewed by voters every ten years and is set to expire in 2027.

Senator Smith’s amendment would allow any county in the state to place a marijuana product excise tax on the ballot for voter approval. The funding would go towards arts, culture, and entertainment within the county and require voter renewal every ten years.

House Bill 86 is currently being heard in the Senate General Government Committee.