ohio Archives - TheJointBlog

Ohio Initiative to Defelonize Drug Possession Placed on November Ballot

August 28, 2018August 24, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

An initiative to reduce penalties for non-violent drug crimes while allowing many current inmates to seek shorter sentences will be voted on this November in Ohio.

Issue 1 would reduce the penalty for possessing and using a variety of illegal substances, including cocaine, heroin and LSD, from a felony to a misdemeanor offenses. In addition, jail time couldn’t be imposed until an individual’s third offense.

The constitutional amendment also allows reductions of up to 25% on the sentences of current inmates who participate in rehabilitation, work or educational programming. Only murderers, rapists and child molesters are ineligible.

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.

Voters in Athens, Ohio Vote to Depenalize up to 200 Grams of Marijuana, 10 Grams of Hash

November 9, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

By NORML

The Athens Cannabis Ordinance – better known as “TACO” – to completely remove all penalties for possessing, cultivating, and gifting of up to 200 grams of marijuana was approved by voters on election day by a vote of 77 percent to 23 percent.

In November 2016, four Ohio municipalities – Newark, Logan, Roseville, and Bellaire – passed similar depenalization ballot measures. Under Ohio state law, minor marijuana possession offenses are classified as a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a fine, but no jail time or criminal record.

“Voters overwhelmingly approved of TACO because the continued criminalization of adult marijuana use is out-of-step with the views of the vast majority of adults in the United States, 64 percent of whom now endorse legalizing and regulating cannabis,” said Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director. “While politicians continue to drag their feet, citizens are showing leadership at the local and state level in jurisdictions where the ability to achieve marijuana reform is possible at the ballot box.”

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 Now Legal in Ohio

September 7, 2016September 7, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Medical cannabis is now legal in Ohio thanks to House Bill 523 taking effect. Unfortunately, however, legal cannabis sales won’t begin for another 18 to 24 months as the state’s medical cannabis industry gets up and running.

Under the new law, those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician will be allowed to possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis, including edibles, oils and topicals. A 90-day supply is determined by the patients physician. Qualifying conditions include Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic intractable pain, Parkinson’s disease, post traumatic stress disorder; sickle cell anemia; spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, ulcerative colitis and traumatic brain injury.

Ohio Governor John Kasich Signs Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Into Law

June 8, 2016June 8, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio Governor John Kasich has signed into law legislation (House Bill 523) that makes Ohio the next state to legalize the medical use of cannabis and cannabis medicines. The governor’s signature comes roughly two weeks after the measure was passed in the House of Representatives 67 to 28, which followed an 18 to 15 vote in the Senate.

Under the new law, those who receive a recommendation from a physician will be allowed to purchase, possess and use cannabis and cannabis medicines. Although smoking cannabis would unfortunately remain prohibited, vaporizing cannabis would be allowed, as would ingesting it through a variety of other methods such as oils, tinctures and edibles.

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.