OHIO — Gov. Mike DeWine made a plea to the Ohio legislature on Wednesday to pass a bill that would alter the state's recreational marijuana law, which goes into effect starting Thursday. 

The recreational marijuana law was approved by 57% of Ohio voters in November. DeWine said he and other leaders of the House and Senate have been meeting to go over potential issues with the law itself. Those potential issues include:

• People purchasing recreational marijuana illegally since it's not legal to purchase it currently in the state of Ohio
• Individuals illegally getting marijuana that may be laced with fentanyl, metals or other toxins
• Children and families being around marijuana smoke
• Advertising to Ohio's youth

DeWine said he respects what Ohioans voted in favor of last election, but wants to ensure the program is safe for Ohioans. He said the current bill being worked on would:

• Speed up timeframe when adults will be able to purchase marijuana legally, avoiding the “black market” to flourish, DeWine said 
• Speed up the process for enacting advertising regulations
• Permanent source of funding for 988 hotline and substance use treatment and prevention 
• Limit the number of marijuana plants to six per household
• Keep the maximum amount of THC at 35% for plant material
• Reduce amount of THC from 90% to 50% for extracts
• Expunge convictions for possessing 2.5 ounces of marijuana or less
• Raising tax from 10% to 15%

“I urge both houses to pass this bill right away,” DeWine said. 

The bill currently sits in the Senate and still needs to be sent to the House. 

"The bill before the general assembly, while respecting the will of the voters, deals with the practical challenges of implementing the program and protect — as best we can — our children, our familes and those who don’t want to be exposed to recreational marijuana at all," DeWine said.