COLUMBUS, Ohio–For the first time, a bill to legalize cannabis possession, production and sales has been filed in the Ohio legislature.
The legislation was submitted by state Reps. Casey Weinstein (D) and Terrence Upchurch (D).
“It’s time to lead Ohio forward,” Weinstein stated. “This is a big step for criminal justice reform, for our veterans, for economic opportunity, and for our individual liberties.”
The 180-page measure proposes legalizing the possession of up to five ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older and the cultivation of up to 12 plants for personal use. Some of the provisions seek to expunge prior convictions for possession and cultivations of small amounts of cannabis, according to Marijuana Moment.
‘More Than Legalization’
“This bill is much needed in Ohio, and it’s time for Ohio to become a national leader in marijuana decriminalization and legalization,” Upchurch stated. “This bill is more than just about legalization, it’s about economic and workforce development, it’s about decriminalization, and it’s about healthcare! The time is now, and I look forward to getting this done in a bipartisan fashion.”
The publication noted that many expect Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) will oppose the bill, but many others more optimistic based on efforts undertaken over the past several years have shown that a vast majority of Ohio voters support marijuana legalization.
Taxes Imposed
Under the legislation, the Ohio Department of Commerce would be in charge of managing legal cannabis program and issuing business licenses. The proposal highlighted that Ohio’s current medical marijuana program would not be affected by the recreational market.
A 10% excise tax would be imposed on marijuana sales, with revenue first going toward the cost of implementation and then being divided among municipalities with at least one cannabis shop (15%), counties with at least one shop (15%), K-12 education (35%) and infrastructure (35%).