ohio cannabis Archives - TheJointBlog

Ohio Ballot Board Certifies Initiative to Legalize Marijuana for Those 21+

May 18, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

The Ohio Ballot Board has officially certified the Marijuana Rights and Regulations Act, giving proponents the go-ahead to begin collecting signatures.

The Ballot Board’s approval of the initiative comes roughly a week after Attorney General Mike DeWine certified the initiative’s language as being “fair and truthful”. Advocates of the measure must now collect 305,591 signatures from registered Ohio voters in order to put it to a vote of the people. If the signatures are collected by July 4 of this year (unlikely), the initiative will be voted on this November. If they are collected prior to July, 2019, it will be placed on the November, 2019 general election ballot.

If placed on either ballot and voted into law, the possession, use and cultivation of marijuana for personal use would become legal for those 21 and older, without the state’s medical marijuana law being effected. The intiaitve establishes a system of licensed marijuana retail outlets, allowed to sell marijuana and marijuana products.

Ohio AG Certifies Marijuana Legalization Initiative

May 10, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has officially certified the ballot language for a proposed initiative that would legalize marijuana for everyone 21 and older.

The petition language for the Marijuana Rights and Regulations act was certified as being “fair and truthful” by AG DeWine. This is the first step towards the proposal being put to a vote of the people.

The measure now goes to the Ohio Ballot Board, which will determine if the measure constitutes one, or multiple ballot questions. Once approved by the Board, proponents of the measure will need to collect 305,591 signatures from registered Ohio votes to put initiative on the November, 2019 general election ballot (they have the opportunity to put the measure on this November’s ballot, but it would require the incredibly tall feat of collecting all the signatures by July 4).

9 States Have Legalized Cannabis – Here Are the 5 States Most Likely to Become #10

February 13, 2018January 12, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts, Maine, California and Nevada have all legalized marijuana, and Vermont’s Legislature just approved a bill to join this list. Which state will be #10?

Below is a list (in no particular order) of the top five states we believe are the most likely to legalize marijuana next, becoming the 10th state in the U.S. to do so (which would make 20% of the entire country).

New Ohio Initiative Would Legalize Marijuana, Advocates Hope to Place it on 2018 Ballot

December 11, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Proponents of legalizing marijuana in Ohio have announced a new initiative that would do just that.

Advocates of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Amendment are attempting to put their measure to a vote of the people during the November, 2018 general election. The initiative, described by supporters as a “free market” approach, would allow anyone 21 and older to possess and use marijuana and hemp, while establishing a system of licensed retail outlets and cultivation centers. Home cultivation for personal use would also be allowed.

“If you can own a bar, or make beer, wine or spirits, you will be able to own a marijuana dispensary, processor or cultivation,” says initiative supporters, who need to collect 305,592 signatures from registered voters in order to place the issue on next year’s ballot.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice: Legalize Marijuana, Free Nonviolent Marijuana Offenders from Prison

May 21, 2017May 20, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jim O’Neil says the state should legalize marijuana,

O’Neil, who is the sole Democrat holding statewide office in Ohio, also says that the state should release those in prison who were placed there based on nonviolent marijuana-related offenses.

“The time has come for new thinking,” O’Neill said in a recent speech. “We regulate and tax alcohol and tobacco and imprison people for smoking grass.”

O’Neil says that doing this would generate roughly $350 million in new revenue for the state, which could be used to create a statewide mental health network, and to combat drug addition.

Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Passed by Ohio Legislature, Sent to Governor Kasich

May 26, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio’s full legislature has now given approval to legislation (House Bill 523) that would legalize the possession, use and state-licensed distribution of cannabis based medicines for medical use. The vote in the House of Representatives was 67 to 28, while the Senate passed the bill with an 18 to 15 vote.

The measure now goes to Governor John Kasich for consideration; Kasich has the option of signing it into law, vetoing it, or allowing it to become law without his signature. If it does become law, those who receive a recommendation from a physician would be able to use and possess cannabis medicines such as edibles and tinctures. Patients would also be able to vape cannabis, though smoking would unfortunately remain prohibited.

Initiative to Legalize Medical Cannabis Introduced in Ohio

March 1, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

The nonprofit organization Ohioans for Medical Marijuana has released the text of their initiative to legalize medical cannabis in Ohio, which the group is attempting to place on this November’s ballot.

Under the proposed law, those with a qualifying condition – including AIDS, cancer, PTSD and severe pain, among others – who receive a recommendation from a physician can legally possess, use and grow (up to six plants) cannabis for medical purposes. State-licensed cannabis cultivation centers, testing facilities and dispensaries would also be legalized.

Poll Finds 3 out of 4 Ohio Voters Support Legalizing Medical Cannabis

February 22, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Approximately three out of four Ohio voters support amending the state constitution to legalize the medical use of cannabis, according to a new poll by Public Policy Polling released today.

The survey of 672 randomly selected Ohio voters was conducted February 17-18, just as advocates are preparing to launch a campaign in support of a constitutional ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis. It found 74% of voters in favor and only 22% opposed with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8%.

“It’s become pretty common knowledge that marijuana can be incredibly beneficial in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions,” said Mason Tvert, a spokesperson for Ohioans for Medical Marijuana (OMM), a committee that has been formed to support the forthcoming initiative.

Ohio Voters Reject Cannabis Legalization Initiative

November 3, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio voters have overwhelmingly rejected Issue 3, which would have legalized recreational cannabis for those 21 and older.

Although polling heading into the election found majority support for cannabis legalization among Ohio voters, they ultimately decided that Issue 3 isn’t the right approach. Many are blaming the loss on the controversial provision that would have guaranteed the state’s ten licensed cultivation centers to investors of the initiative, a move many – including the state in their official summary of the proposal – call a monopoly.

Ohio Cannabis Legalization Initiative Being Voted on Today

November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

It’s Tuesday, November 3rd (EST), meaning it’s election day, and in Ohio, voters will have the opportunity to make their state the fifth to legalize recreational cannabis. Unless the votes are incredibly close (which is definitely possible), we should know the fate of Issue 3 sometime after polls close at 8PM.

If approved into law by voters, Issue 3 will legalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis for everyone 21 and older, or up to eight ounces for those who receive a license from the state. Those with a license will also be able to cultivate an unlimited number of sprouting cannabis plants, and up to four flowering plants.