Higher taxes on marijuana, gambling and tobacco in Ohio would likely cut down on negative impacts but could push consumers to illegal markets, a group of Ohio economists says.
Gov. Mike DeWine recently proposed raising taxes on marijuana and cigarettes to pay for a child tax credit and hiking the gambling tax to pay for sports stadiums and student participation fees in extracurricular activities.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives continue to debate DeWine’s budget plan. A new budget must be passed and signed into law by DeWine by the end of June.
A new survey of 17 statewide economists from Scioto Analysis, a Columbus-based policy analytical group, showed 15 believe higher taxes would have an impact on “negative externalities” associated with marijuana, cigarettes and gambling.
