Group Looking to Legalize Cannabis in Ohio Gathering Enough Petition Signatures – CBS Pittsburgh

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A group seeking to legalize marijuana in Ohio has gathered enough signatures to bring the matter before lawmakers, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Friday.

The Republican-dominated Legislature will have four months to decide whether to legalize the use and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana.

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If action is not taken, the Coalition to Manage Cannabis Like Alcohol could collect nearly 133,000 more valid signatures to put the measure to the November 8 vote.

The group wants to allow adults 21 years of age and older to purchase and possess 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of cannabis and grow up to six plants per person, 12 plants per household.

Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016, with dispensaries opening in early 2019.

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The group’s spokesman, Tom Haren, said Friday in a statement, “We are ready and looking forward to working with Ohio lawmakers over the next four months to legalize marijuana use by the United States.” adults in Ohio,”

Haren added that the team was prepared to collect the signatures needed to put the matter on the ballot.

Two Republican members of the House of Representatives introduced a recreational marijuana bill in December, while the Republican Senate last month passed a measure expanding the state’s medical marijuana program.

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