responsibleohio Archives

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.

Ohio Cannabis Legalization Initiative, Issue 3, Being Voted on Next Week

November 1, 2015October 26, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio Issue 3, which would legalize the possession, cultivation and distribution of recreational cannabis, will be voted on in just eight days, on November 3rd, and polling has it in a tight race.

Although the official general election ballot occurs on November 3rd, early voting has been underway for quite some time. A new Akron Buckeye Poll shows Issue 3 in a dead heat, with 46% of Ohio voters in support of the measure, and 46% against, with the remaining 8% undecided. A poll released earlier this month by Quinnipiac University found a similar percentage of opposition – 44% – though that poll found 53% to be in support.

Early Voting Underway for Ohio Legalization Initiative, New Poll Shows Support at 53%

October 9, 2015October 8, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

A new Quinnipiac University poll has found that in the midst of early voting taking place in Ohio, 53% of voters in the state are in support of legalizing recreational cannabis. The poll is good news for advocates of Issue 3, a proposal put forth by ResponsibleOhio which would legalize cannabis for everyone 21 and older and is on next month’s general election ballot.

According to the poll, which we received through press release, just 44% of voters in Ohio oppose legalizing cannabis.

Although the poll didn’t specifically mention Issue 3, the poll clearly demonstrates that the measure is in a good position to pass, with support for legalization nearly 10% higher than the opposition.

It’s Official: Ohio Initiative to Legalize Cannabis Makes November Ballot

August 13, 2015August 12, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

On November 3rd, Ohio voters will have the opportunity to legalize recreational cannabis through a constitutional amendment.

Secretary of State Jon Husted said today that the group ResponsibleOhio has collected 320,267 signatures from registered Ohio voters on their initiative to legalize cannabis, 14,676 more than necessary to qualify for this year’s general election ballot.

If passed into law, the initiative would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis for those 21 and older, while establishing a system of state-licensed cannabis retail outlets. These outlets would be supplied by ten licensed production centers located throughout the state.

Ohio Ballot Board Gives Approval to Cannabis Expungement Initiative

July 15, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

In a 3 to 2 vote, the Ohio Ballot Board has given approval to the Fresh Start Act, a proposal meant to work in conjunction with an initiative to legalize recreational cannabis that’s on this November’s ballot.

The measure, put forth by ResponsibleOhio (the same group sponsoring the legalization initiative), would allow anyone who committed a crime that’s made legal to have the charge expunged (removed) from their record.

Ohio: Enough Signatures Collected on Cannabis Expungement Initiative to Receive Approval from Attorney General

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office on Monday certified an initiative to allow for the expungement of cannabis convictions that have been made legal since the crimes were committed.

The Fresh Start Act, put forth by ResponsibleOhio, is meant to work in conjunction with the group’s initiative to legalize cannabis, which will be voted on this November. If that initiative is approved into law, and the Fresh Start Act is subsequently approved, anyone who committed a crime that’s made legal the first initiative would be allowed to have the charge expunged (removed) from their record.

Advocates Submit Signatures to Place Legalization Initiative on November Ballot in Ohio

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Nearly 700,000 signatures on an initiative to legalize cannabis have been submitted to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted by the group ResponsibleOhio, well more than the 305,591 needed to place the proposal on this November’s ballot.

Once Husted verifies that enough of the submitted signatures are valid (from registered Ohio voters), it will be placed on this year’s November general election ballot. If passed into law, the initiative would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis for those 21 and older, and would establish a system of state-licensed cannabis retail outlets which would be supplied by ten cannabis production centers.

Another Cannabis Legalization Initiative Given Approval by Ohio Attorney General

June 18, 2015June 18, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has given approval to the Cannabis Control Amendment, an initiative to legalize cannabis put forth by Ohioans to End Prohibition. The group now must gather 305,591 signatures by July 1st to get the amendment on this November ballot, though they’ll have until July 1st, 2016 to place it on the 2016 general election ballot.

The Cannabis Control Amendment, which is a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution, would allow those 21 and older to possess up to 100 grams of cannabis, and cultivate up to six cannabis plants. Cannabis retail outlets would also be authorized, which would be supplied by licensed cultivation centers.

Report: Legalizing Cannabis in Ohio Would Create 35,000 New Jobs

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

An initiative to legalize cannabis that’s set to be placed on this November’s ballot in Ohio would create nearly 35,000 new jobs, according to a report released today by Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters.

“Legalization is coming to Ohio”, says Deters, who served as state treasurer from 1999 to 2004. “We need to accept the reality is going to happen”.

“Why in the world knowing this is coming would we let the bad guys have the money?” Deters wondered, noting that the black-market for cannabis continues to thrive . “I have come to believe the current laws hurt minorities”

Enough Signatures Collected To Put Cannabis Legalization To A Vote in Ohio This November

June 10, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Advocates of a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis in Ohio have collected over 550,000 signatures to place the initiative on this November’s general election ballot, well more than the 305,591 signatures required, according to a Tuesday press release by the group ResponsibleOhio.

“Because of the outpouring of support for the legalization of marijuana, today, we have more than 550,000 signatures on our petition,” says ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James. “We’re proud to have the support of so many Ohioans in our effort to legalize medical marijuana for the chronically ill and for personal use by Ohioans 21 years and older.”