Ohio activists say they will have enough signatures to force the legislature to consider legalizing marijuana by the end of this month. And a lawmaker who is sponsoring a separate reform proposal feels the citizen-led effort could help build momentum for a legislative approach to ending prohibition. At an event hosted by Ohio State University’s (OSU) Drug Enforcement and Policy Center on Friday, panelists discussed the legalization ballot proposal being spearheaded by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA), as well as a reform bill that Rep. Casey Weinstein (D) introduced this summer. While it’s only been a few months since Ohio officials cleared the campaign to collect signatures for its measure, CTRMLA spokesperson Tom Haren said that the initial wave of signature gathering “will be completed probably about the end of November.” The measure that legislators would then be required to consider would legalize possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older, and they could also have up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. Individuals could grow up to six plants for personal use, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. Activists must collect 132,887 valid signatures from registered voters for the statutory initiative during this first phase of the effort. If they succeed, the legislature will then have four months to adopt the measure, reject it or adopt an amended version. If lawmakers do not pass the proposal, organizers will then need to collect an additional 132,887 signatures to place the proposal before voters on the ballot in November 2022.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 11/22/2021 08:48:00