- Voters in Ohio have passed a ballot measure that legalizes cannabis use for fun
- The legislation would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home
Ohio voters have passed a ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana in their state, joining a trend of more conservative states allowing cannabis use for fun.
The Buckeye State will be the 24th state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana. NBC News projected.
New legislation would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home.
A ten percent tax would be levied on purchases, with the proceeds going to administrative costs, addiction care, municipalities with pharmacies and social equity and employment programs.
Legalization follows a nearly two-year effort by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which overcame administrative, legal and legislative hurdles to put the citizen-initiated statute before voters.
A cannabis plant nearing harvest grows in a grow room at the Greenleaf Medical Cannabis facility in Richmond, Virginia, on June 17, 2021. Recreational marijuana will be legal in 24 states if the measure passes in Ohio
It will also add to the trend of more conservative states establishing adult-use markets, such as Montana and Missouri support for legalization in recent years.
First, the proposal went to the Republican-dominated Legislature, which was given four months to approve it. Since many lawmakers in the majority were against it, they refused.
Republican Senate President Matt Huffman strongly opposed the proposal and has suggested that lawmakers could try to rewrite or even repeal the proposal if it passes.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine also opposed it, in part because of traffic safety concerns.
Some of the state’s most influential business and manufacturing organizations also opposed the measure, concerned it would worsen workplace safety, increase absenteeism and drive up worker wages.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol argued that it is time for Ohio to legalize and regulate the cultivation, production, testing and sale of marijuana and marijuana products for adults 21 and older.
Supporters say the measure will raise tax revenue for pot purchases now going to neighboring states where it is legal and help thwart the black market.
They have touted their proposal as “fixing a broken system” while ensuring that the places where pharmacies are located retain some control over the system and reap a share of the revenue.
Opponents say the taxes collected will benefit the marijuana industry more than Ohio’s budget.