Ohio could be next state to legalize Adult-Use Weed
Ohio could be the next state to legalize adult-use marijuana.
According to multiple polls, most Ohioans are planning to vote for "Issue 2," a November ballot initiative that will legalize and regulate possession, home cultivation and retail sales for those ages 21 or older. The finding is not surprising given that most Ohioans support legalization in general. The polls only confirm the inevitable likelihood of legalization in Ohio.
In the most recent poll, which was commissioned by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol and conducted by FM3 Research, 55 percent said they “definitely” or “probably” will vote yes on the initiative, while about 34 percent “definitely” or “probably” will oppose it. Only about 11 percent were undecided. The survey polled 843 likely voters.
The ballot measure allows for the following:
- Possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or 15 grams of marijuana extract by adults;
- Ohioans could purchase marijuana at retail locations or grow up to 12 plants in a private residence (where at least two adults reside); and,
- Retail cannabis products would be taxed at 10%.
Sales are anticipated to generate between $276.2 million to $403.6 million in annual cannabis tax dollars by the fifth year of sales. Towns can opt out of selling marijuana if most of its elected officials decide in favor of doing so.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that advocates for marijuana laws reform, said Ohioans' support for legalization did not surprise him.
“Historically, when given the choice, voters have consistently chosen to reject cannabis criminalization and to embrace legalization and regulation," he said. "Ohioans have seen similar legalization laws adopted in neighboring states and they know that regulating the cannabis market is preferable to the failed policy of prohibition.”
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If the measure passes, Ohio will be the 24th state in the country to legalize adult-use marijuana and the 14th to do so by a public vote.
