State Issue 2: What to know about Ohio's recreational marijuana legalization ballot issue
Ohioans will vote on a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana on Nov. 7.
The statute, if passed, would legalize, regulate and tax adult-use marijuana in addition to the current medical cannabis program. It will be State Issue 2.
Here's everything you need to know. Have questions? Let us know and we will try to answer them.
What Ohioans need to know about November ballot issue to legalize recreational marijuana
Ohio voters will decide in November whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana.
The proposal from the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would establish a new government program with rules for buying, selling, smoking and growing adult-use cannabis. The Nov. 7 ballot measure is an initiated statute, not a constitutional amendment, meaning the Legislature could make adjustments if it passes.
The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau compiled answers to reader questions and other information voters should know about the proposed law, known as State Issue 2.
Ohio Ballot Board approves recreational marijuana law ballot language. Read it here
The proposal would allow Ohioans age 21 and older to buy and possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of concentrates. They could also grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household with multiple adults.
It\'s official: Ohio will vote on legalizing recreational marijuana in November
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol secured enough signatures to put its proposal before voters on the Nov. 7 ballot, Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office announced Wednesday. Advocates worked for over a year to hit this milestone as the GOP-controlled Legislature refused to go further than the current medical marijuana program.
See who is opposing the effort to legalize marijuana in Ohio
Ohio may vote on legalizing marijuana this November, and a group of children's hospitals, police and Republican politicos are lining up to oppose it.
Called Protect Ohio Workers and Families, the list of opponents announced Tuesday includes:
Ohio Children’s Hospital Association
Law enforcement groups such as the Buckeye Sheriffs Association, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police
Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association
Veterans groups such as Ohio Veterans First.
Poll: Over 58% of Ohio voters support legalizing adult marijuana use
A USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University poll released Wednesday found 58.6% of respondents approve of allowing Ohioans over the age of 21 to buy and possess marijuana. About 35% opposed the issue, while 6% were undecided.
Ohio GOP leaders don't like recreational marijuana. What happens if voters say yes to it?
Ohio's top Republican leaders haven't been shy about their opposition to recreational marijuana.
"There are a lot of people who don't do something because it's illegal, believe it or not, and if it's more accessible to whoever's going to buy it, it's going to be more accessible to people who shouldn't be smoking it," Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said in a recent interview. "It’s really going to be devastating."
The measure is an initiated statute that would become law if passed, instead of a constitutional amendment. That means it would fall under the jurisdiction of the state Legislature, and Republicans in charge could later tweak or even repeal the measure if approved by voters.
Ahead of the Nov. 7 vote, Huffman and other key leaders aren't showing their hand. But several rank-and-file lawmakers don't think there's enough political will in the GOP-controlled Legislature to thwart the voters' decision.
Read the ballot language for State Issue 2: Ohio's recreational marijuana legalization issue
Cannabis Proposed Ballot Language by Anthony Shoemaker on Scribd
Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: State Issue 2: Ohio's ballot issue on marijuana legalization
