State Board OKs Marijuana Initiative As Single Issue

[Jacob Redmond]

Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana use for personal and medical purposes got the green light today from the Ohio Ballot Board.

The five-member board unanimously approved the proposal by ResponsibleOhio as a single ballot issue. The board, which is chaired by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, is not empowered to kill the proposal or make changes in the wording.

Husted, Gov. John Kasich and all other statewide non-judicial officeholders oppose ResponsibleOhio's for-profit marijuana legalization plan.

ResponsibleOhio backers will now have about three months to collect 305,591 valid signatures of registered Ohio voters to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot. The signatures must be gathered from at least 44 of 88 Ohio counties.

ResponsibleOhio is proposing a for-profit system in which 10 investors or investment groups would each have the right to set up marijuana-growing sites around the state, including three in central Ohio. The system would include processing centers, retail sales operations, and medical marijuana dispensaries. Marijuana sales would be taxed, with most of the proceeds going to county and local government entities.

News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ballot board OKs marijuana initiative as single issue | The Columbus Dispatch
Author: Alan Johnson
Contact: Contacts | The Columbus Dispatch
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Columbus Dispatch | Central Ohio News, Sports, Arts & Classifieds

 

[stones55]

Here comes Big Government and its bedmate, Big Business with no consideration for the little guy to grow his or her own for their own use. Put home cultivation into this ballot initiative and THEN you will have something that speaks for and represents the resident and voter. Until then, it's a ploy and a sham.

Will legal home cultivation be part of this initiative?