Ohio Activists Successfully Gather 10,000 Signatures to Put Marijuana Legalization on November Ballot

Ohio activists have submitted a final batch of signatures to put a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot after falling short in a prior submission. The new batch includes over 6,000 additional signatures, and advocates are confident they have made up the difference. The initiative would legalize possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older, allow personal cultivation of up to six plants, and impose a 10% sales tax on cannabis sales. The revenue would be allocated to support social equity and jobs programs, localities, education and substance misuse programs, and administrative costs. The measure also establishes a Division of Cannabis Control and gives a head start to current medical cannabis businesses in the recreational market. If enacted, Ohio would become the 24th state to legalize adult-use cannabis.