Ohio cannabis advocates urge lawmakers to review marijuana legalization and get 206,000 signatures

By Nina Zdinjak

Ohio cannabis advocates are pushing to make recreational marijuana legal in their state.

This week, the coalition to regulate marijuana like alcohol confirmed that it had collected 206,943 signatures for a bill that would allow adults to buy and possess cannabis. The signatures were presented on Monday to Secretary of State Frank LaRose, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

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Months in the works

The organization had already presented a draft of the measure in July of this year and started collecting the required 132,887 signatures in August.

“Eighteen states have already legalized cannabis for adult use, including our neighbor to the north,” said campaign spokesman Tom Haren. “Ohio is behind the curve on this issue and cannot afford to stand still.”

What’s next

After verifying the signatures, the legislature has four months to proceed with the legislation. If they reject the bill or approve an amended version, supporters can collect an additional 132,887 signatures to put the measure on the ballot at the next election.

In 2015, Ohio voters turned down an election proposal aimed at creating a limited legal market for the commercial production and sale of cannabis to adults. Several provisions of this measure have been viewed as highly controversial, such as those aimed at restricting the number of licensed commercial breeders to the initiative’s financial investors, writes NORML.

RELATED: Ohio Republicans Filing Cannabis Legalization Bill, Activists Prove No Flaw in Petition

The proposed law would allow Ohio residents ages 21 and older to legally purchase and own 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of concentrates. You could also grow up to six plants individually and a maximum of twelve in a household with several adults.

It is proposed to tax products at 10%, with the proceeds supporting administrative expenses, addiction treatment programs, communities with pharmacies, and a social justice and employment program. In addition, the state’s currently licensed medical marijuana operators would be brought into the adult market.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.