A marijuana legalization question will be on Ohio's fall ballot after lawmakers failed to act on it

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

A marijuana legalization question will be on Ohio’s fall ballot after lawmakers failed to act on it

BY JULIE CARR SMYTH
Updated 5:37 PM EDT, August 16, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A proposal to legalize recreational adult use of marijuana in Ohio was cleared Wednesday to appear on statewide ballots this fall after the Republican-led state Legislature failed to act on it.

The measure would allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home. A 10% tax would be imposed on purchases, to be spent on administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose determined that the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol had submitted 127,772 valid signatures, more than the 124,046 needed to put the question before voters on Nov. 7.

In July, organizers had originally submitted fewer signatures than required, but were given 10 days to try again. During that grace period, they collected an additional 4,405 valid signatures.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-legalization-ohio-ballot-election-2023-33190433ac9cdf08b7a56b2e4aa4bc20

[EYESORE 9001]

1. Here's hoping this helps increase turnout in November

I support recreational cannabis, of course, but I hope there’s a coattail effect that increases turnout and votes for reproductive rights among others.

[getagrip_already]

2. Mass legalized in 2017....

The world didn't end.

We can buy, posses, grow, gift, and consume cannabis legally.

One thing that isn't happening is money isn't being wasted on lawyers going to court fighting simple possession cases. And careers and lives aren't being ruined with criminal records for possession of small amounts of a harmless substance.

Good luck ohio!

[BComplex]

3. Does anyone know if legalizing marijuana has made any of the states more liberal?

I know it really helps the economic aspect, but I wonder if anyone has noticed the political ramifications.

[mountain grammy]

4. Arizona I think

Great dispensaries. Big changes.

[BComplex]

5. Well let's keep our fingers crossed for Ohio!

That would be HUGE!

[mountain grammy]

6. Yes.. fingers crossed

and for Sherrod Brown too.

[BComplex]

7. He's one of my favorite senators!

We really need to keep him!