Cleveland Ohio is making the headlines as they are on their way in having Pot legalized in their state. As per Channel News Asia, Ohio Voters will get to decide in November of this year whether to legalize medical and recreational marijuana use.
Jon Husted, Secretary of State, stated that he had certified the group "Responsible Ohio" was able to gather enough valid signatures to place constitutional amendments before voters in November. This aims to establish a Marijuana Control Commission, a group in charge with regulating the growth, sale and taxation of marijuana which is similar to legalization plans that were approved by voters in other US states.
As per Plain Dealer, Executive Director of Responsible Ohio, Ian James stated: "We couldn't be more excited, Drug dealers don't care about doing what's best for our state and its citizens. By reforming marijuana laws in November, we'll provide compassionate care to sick Ohioans, bring money back to our local communities and establish a new industry with limitless economic development opportunities."
The Ohio amendment would designate 10 locations for the growing of marijuana and have it legalized for people over the age of 21 to use and possess up to one ounce of pot and allow growing 4 marijuana plants for personal use.
The team was able to gather a total of 305,591 signatures from half of the state's 88 countries. The amendment has drawn criticism from some marijuana supporters stating that it creates a marijuana monopoly in the state. It was reported that another ballot measure, from a group of anti-monopoly proposal backed by the state lawmakers in June, would effectively block the marijuana measure if the bill would pass in November simply because citizen-initiated amendment takes 30 days or longer to take effect than a legislative one. The prohibition is called Issue 2 in which "a monopoly, oligopoly or cartel" in the Ohio Constitution. Husted and attorneys for state lawmakers have said Issue 2 would trump the marijuana amendment, even if both passed on Election Day [Cleveland.com]"
