Is cannabis legal in Ohio? Ohio voters may be able to legalize marijuana

columbusOhio (WJW) — groups looking to create adult content cannabis legal for recreational purposes Ohio It announced in November that it had gathered more signatures than necessary to question voters.

of Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol 222,198 signatures from Ohio voters in all 88 Ohio counties were submitted to Congress. Ohio Secretary of State office, to solve problems November 7 ballotaccording to a Wednesday news release from the Coalition.

The group required a total of about 124,000 signatures from 44 counties.

“Our issuance authorizes you to possess and use: marijuana It will enable participation by adults over the age of 21 and provide a framework to ensure proper regulation and fair taxation,” said Coalition spokesman Tom Haren. cleveland Lawyer’s comments are quoted in the release.

“This is not groundbreaking. …We are just trying to keep Ohio in line with neighboring countries like Michigan and Illinois.”

How does it work?

The proposed law would allow Ohioans over the age of 21 to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of cannabis and up to 15 grams of cannabis extract, with up to six cannabis or multiple users living in their homes. Allows you to store up to 12 cannabis plants if you are in There.

It will also impose a 10% tax on adult marijuana sales, with the proceeds going back to Ohio communities, according to the release. The recreational cannabis industry will be regulated by the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Hallen told FOX 8 sister station WKBN. Adult-use cannabis could generate $400 million in new tax revenue annually.

“We want to regulate marijuana in the same way that states regulate alcohol consumption,” Haren said. “We are ready to repeal the ban and make Ohioans use marijuana responsibly, as half the people in the country are already doing.

what’s next?

A press secretary for the secretary of state previously told Fox 8 News that the coalition’s 222,000 signatures will be sent to counties for verification.

If the coalition’s petition is approved, it will become a statewide issue on November 7 and will require a simple majority to pass. Recent polls suggest that Ohio voters will approve the bill by a narrow margin, but Haren cited other polls showing about 60% of Ohio voters were in favor. bottom.

Joe Caruso, president and CEO of Youngstown-based drug and alcohol rehab provider Compass Family and Community Services, told WKBN he voted “no” on the bill. said he was going to. He also believes cannabis has no medical uses.

“In fact, it can actually cause more harm to people because it can induce psychosis in people with certain mental illnesses,” Caruso told WKBN.

Because this measure is a citizen-driven state law, it is not affected by: Next No. 1 Despite being widely misunderstood, it was set to be sued by voters in August’s special election.

If this issue is passed, voters will submit amendments to the Ohio Constitution that would require the signatures of all, not half, of Ohio’s 88 counties to be on the ballot, and would require a 60% yes vote. and approval will be even more difficult. Let them pass instead of a simple majority.

However, since this is a law, it may be repealed or changed by the state legislature.

What other ways are there to legalize marijuana in Ohio?

Ohio House Bill 168called the Ohio Adult Use Act, was introduced May 8 by state legislators. Casey Weinstein of HudsonD-34th, and Jamie Callender of ConcordeR-57th permits Ohioans at least 21 years of age to grow, buy and own cannabis.

“The reality is that so many Ohioans smoke marijuana and use edibles, and I want to regulate it. I want to tax it. And somehow pulling it out of the shadows, the market here is absolutely rock solid,” Weinstein said. previously told FOX 8 News. “We are lagging behind our neighbors. It’s time to really step up. It’s time.”

This bill was allocated to House Finance Committee A public hearing was held in late May, but no public hearing has yet been held.

Adult-use cannabis is legal in 23 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, and 38 states, including Ohio, approve cannabis for medical use.