Advocates behind an effort to legalize adult-use marijuana submitted additional voter signatures on Thursday to put their proposal before Ohio lawmakers.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol turned in another 29,918 signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose after falling short earlier this month. The group submitted over 200,000 signatures as part of the initiated statute process, but LaRose’s office determined only 119,825 were valid.
Per state law, petitioners must gather 132,887 signatures from Ohioans in at least 44 counties.
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.
Products would be taxed at 10%, with revenue going toward administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries and a social equity and jobs program.
If the signatures are verified, lawmakers will have four months to act on the proposed legislation. If they don’t pass the bill or pass an amended version, supporters can collect another 132,887 valid signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.
The process differs from the 2015 legalization effort, when voters rejected a constitutional amendment pushed by ResponsibleOhio that would have paved the way for adult marijuana use. It also comes as lawmakers consider whether to expand the state’s medical cannabis program.
