Ohio officials are set to certify ballot language for a marijuana legalization measure that will be before voters in November. There have been signs of division among GOP officials in the state. The governor has voiced opposition, while a Republican Congressman told Marijuana Moment that he intends to vote in support of the measure
The Secretary of State’s Office announced on Wednesday that supporters had submitted enough signatures for the ballot. Next, the state Board of Elections will meet on Thursday and approve the exact summary voters will see as they enter the polling booths for Election Day.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is confident that Ohioans will end prohibition and pass a regulated market for cannabis. Hundreds of thousands have already signed petitions to put the issue on the ballot, and polls show a majority of support for reform.
But Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican from Ohio, said that he would not be voting yes in November. He told his Executive Workforce Board that he believed that “it would be an absolute mistake for us to have marijuana recreationally.” DeWine also noted that he had visited Colorado after its legalization in 2012 and seen what he called “an unmitigated catastrophe.”
The governor stated, “I’d just ask that people look at what has happened in other states to see if they really want to bring it to Ohio.”
Tom Haren, a CTRMLA spokesperson, told Marijuana Moment, on Friday, that the campaign had “looked at other states” when they were crafting the cannabis initiative. They drew from their “best practice” to ensure Ohio’s marijuana is in a position to replace the illicit market, to promote public health, and to generate revenue.
He said that it has been 10 years since these first states made this move, and no one has reversed the decision. These programs have been successful. “The sky hasn’t fallen.”
He cited a legislative analysis that showed Colorado had more tax revenue generated from marijuana sales in the past fiscal year than alcohol or cigarettes. According to an analysis released this week, Ohio stands to earn up to $400 million per year from adult-use marijuana sales.
A Republican congressman has officially backed the measure, even though the governor may not be among the majority of those who support the proposal.
A spokesperson for Rep. Dave Joyce, R-OH, co-chairman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus told Marijuana Moment Thursday that he is “supportive of the measure and intends to vote yes.”
The congressman had previously stated that he would need to review details of the initiative when asked about it during the signature collection phase of the campaign. He told Marijuana Moment in late October that would have signed the petition if it meant getting the initiative on the ballot for voters to decide.
Haren, a spokesperson for the campaign, stated that they were “thrilled” to have Congressman Joyce’s support and “grateful” for his advocacy in Congress. He has championed reform bills, worked to build bipartisan alliances around legislation, and taken steps to prepare for an eventual federal legalization.
Haren stated that the congressman’s backing shows that it is a non-partisan issue and that it crosses all political boundaries.
The campaign will present their own summary of the ballot at next week’s Board of Elections . The board will take into account that language and other suggestions, along with public testimony, to determine the final language on the ballot.
The legalization initiative was originally intended to be on the ballot for last year, but procedural issues prevented this. The activists submitted enough signatures for the review to begin, but their timing was challenged.
CTRMLA sued to force ballot placement but was unsuccessful in 2022. The state agreed to a settlement which meant that they wouldn’t have to collect a second round of signatures and that the initiative was immediately retransmitted by the legislature to begin the 2023 session.
These are the main provisions of the measure for legalization that could appear on the ballot in November:
- This initiative will allow adults over 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces (or 15 grams) of marijuana. They can also possess up to 1.5 ounces (15 grams) of marijuana concentrates.
- Each individual could grow six plants to use for their own personal needs, and a maximum of 12 plants in a household.
- The 10 percent tax on cannabis sales would go to fund social equity and job programs (36%), localities who allow adult-use marijuana businesses to operate in their areas (36%), education and drug misuse programs (25%), and administrative costs for implementing the system (3%).
- The Department of Commerce would establish a Division of Cannabis Control. The division would be able to “license and regulate adult-use cannabis operators, adult-use testing laboratories, as well as individuals who are required to have a license.”
- This measure will give current medical cannabis businesses an advantage in the recreational market. Within nine months after the law’s enactment, regulators would have to start issuing adult use licenses to applicants who are qualified and operate medical cannabis operations.
- The division will also have to issue 50 adult-use retail licenses, and 40 recreational cultivator licences. This is “with preference given to applicants who are participating in the cannabis social equality and jobs program.” It would also authorize regulators to grant additional licenses for recreational market after two years.
- Municipalities could opt not to allow new recreational cannabis businesses to open in their region, but existing medical marijuana companies would still be allowed to operate, even if adult-use operations were to be added. Employers can also enforce policies that prohibit workers from using cannabis for adult purposes.
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services would also be required to enter into an agreement to provide “cannabis-addiction services,” including “education and treatment” for those with addiction issues to cannabis, or other controlled substances such as opioids.
- Some advocates worry about the lack specific language regarding automatic expungements, which would clear the records for people who have convictions from crimes that would become legal under the new legislation. The measure includes a clause requiring regulators “to study and fund” criminal reform initiatives, including expungements.
If the measure ultimately becomes law, it will bring the number of states that have legalized adult use to 24. Ohio voters rejected a ballot measure legalizing adult use in 2015. This was largely due to concerns over provisions that they believed would create a monopoly on the market.
In a USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University survey published in July, it was found that about 59 percent (or 59%) of Ohioans supported the legalization of possession and sale of marijuana by adults over 21. Only 35 percent of respondents are against.
In May bipartisan Ohio legislators submitted a bill legalizing marijuana, giving the legislature a second chance to lead the reform. It has not yet advanced, but now it is up to the voters to decide.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
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