First recreational marijuana law introduced in Ohio

There is always a first try for everything, and when it comes to cannabis, any first attempt at legalization generates a lot of excitement and interest. People want to know what happens next, who is leading the charge and how the state is reacting to it. These are the questions and considerations on the minds of Ohio residents.

For the first time in the state’s history, Ohio lawmakers are tipping a bill to legalize recreational marijuana that thwarts the growing and selling process. The bill was drafted by House MPs Terrence Upchurch from Cleveland and Casey Weinstein from Hudson (Democrat).

Both house representatives agree that the motivation behind drafting the bill comes from the economic and medical benefits marijuana brings to societies where it is legalized. They are both looking for additional sponsors to help expedite the process, bring the sick into the home, and create Ohio’s first regulated marijuana market.

While this is exciting news for Ohio cannabis enthusiasts, the bill still faces a difficult process as GOP members mostly dominate the Ohio legislature. The same GOP members barely legalized a proposed medical cannabis program five years ago. The proposed marijuana bill, passed quickly to avoid a vote, would have allowed the Ohio Constitution to be amended on marijuana.

Weinstein claims that the state of Ohio is at a critical juncture: the state will lag behind other states if the House does nothing about legalizing marijuana. He hopes this bill will be a bipartisan victory that opens up talks that lead to full legalization.

Will the democratic representatives succeed this time?

The purpose of the bill

This bill will allow Ohio adults ages 21 and older to purchase and access 5 ounces of cannabis at the same time. The legalized adults can also grow up to 12 mature marijuana plants for personal and non-commercial use. The law also allows villages, counties, and cities to limit the types of cannabis deals they allow within their borders.

Ohio’s new bill will be drafted after the Michigan cannabis market, with Senators saying it will maintain Ohio’s medical cannabis program, which was approved in 2016 and implemented in 2019. People who grow, process, and sell medical marijuana through pharmacies will receive recreational opportunities.

To ensure effective regulation, the Ohio State Department of Commerce will be responsible for this newly created marijuana industry. Ohio residents with nonviolent cannabis crime criminal records will have all of their records sealed and partake in the recently legalized industry.

A proposed 10% excise tax is added on local and state sales of cannabis products. The revenue from the excise tax is used to fund infrastructure development such as roads, education, bridge repair, and other local government projects.

Ohio’s tax rate will be the same as Michigan but lower than other states like Illinois and Colorado. For the first two years, approximately $ 2 million of annual proceeds will be used to research the treatment of veterans with unique medical problems and to help prevent the high rate of suicide among veterans.

The legalization law includes an aspect of social justice that encourages people of color and marginalized people to join forces with the state to boost the newly formed cannabis industry.

Marijuana legalization hasn’t made great strides in Ohio

Before this new law six years ago, Ohio residents voted for a constitutional amendment that will legalize cannabis. However, the changes result in marijuana being grown in ten pre-selected locations managed by the change team’s investors. But his move failed as 64% of Ohio voters voted against it.

Not wanting to stay down too long, Ohio lawmakers introduced another restrictive medical cannabis program. This new program took two years to roll out, with the first marijuana sale occurring in January 2019.

Then in 2021 a bill called House Bill 210 was tabled that will allow people to grow cannabis plants and help eradicate some marijuana offenses. The patient has not yet received a hearing, even after Juanita Brent, D-Cleveland, MP, submitted an accompanying bill; which decriminalizes cannabis use and possession in 2020. Nor has this bill been negotiated once, and yet again, it is evidence that Ohio has not made great strides in its marijuana legalization process.

But this new suggestion from Reps. Weinstein and Cleveland is far more optimistic that it could be Ohio’s bold move to capitalize on the potential of its marijuana market.

A new chapter for the state of Ohio

While Republican Governor Mike DeWine may oppose the new marijuana legislation, he will face the reality that Ohio voters are ready to support the initiative. Already 22 jurisdictions have accepted local marijuana statutes that will reduce the penalty for possessing marijuana at a low level.

Instead of serving prison terms and paying a fine as a punishment for possessing marijuana, it has been reduced to what is known as a minor sentence, which state law allows. Marijuana activists are currently trying to see to it that there are similar policy changes in other cities this year.

Marijuana enthusiasts claim Ohio isn’t the first state to do something about cannabis legalization. It’s about the 26th state, which makes this the perfect time to move on to this new chapter.

Just as Ohio took inspiration from states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Colorado, so do other states as they strive to be more cannabis-friendly.

Bottom line

Every state that legalized marijuana has faced the same challenges as Ohio. In fact, to some states, it seemed like legalization was out of reach due to the political tussle between Democrats and Republicans in every home. Still, they have overcome their differences and made it work for the good of the people and the advancement of the marijuana industry.

Ohio has taken a bold move, although there are still some ideas to clear up, but that is encouraging and will position the state as a state poised to enter new and productive terrain with marijuana.

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