Columbus received $4.2 million from the state of Ohio, its first batch of tax revenue owed to the city from adult-use marijuana sales.
The Columbus City Auditor's Office said this money is from August 2024 when sales began in Ohio through the end of November in 2025.
Ohio voters legalized adult-use marijuana in November 2023. Since then, almost 200 dispensaries have opened in the state, including 21 in Columbus.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther's office said in a statement Columbus City Council voted to put the funds into a special reserve fund whose future use will require council approval.
Ginther's office also said in the statement the mayor wants to see the fund put towards critical needs in this year's tight budget. His office gave the city's resilient housing initiative, the Community Shelter Board and other human service needs as examples.
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said in a statement the city council passed an ordinance in early January reaffirming the city council's intention to spend the money on human services, education, workforce development needs and more.
"We are happy to finally get these funds which we have been waiting for," Hardin said.
Hardin said he expects the city will receive monthly payments from the state from this point forward.
