Ohio Voters to get a chance to legalize Marijuana

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on August 24, 2015.

ResponsibleOhio, an Investor Group, has successfully collected required signatures, paving way for Ohio to go for the ballot initiative in November 2015, which would determine whether the state would have marijuana legalized or not. And, interestingly, the initiative, if passed, would ensure legalization of both medical as well as recreational marijuana in Ohio.

ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James is upbeat about the prospects of Ohio legalizing marijuana. "It's not about drug business, rather it's about providing medication to sick Ohions, bringing money back to our communities and establishing a new industry with economic development opportunities", he said.

Supporters of Marijuana Legalization Amendment predict a massive marijuana industry in Ohio once the legislation is approved. It could generate as much as $2 billion a year by 2020 and $500 million taxes per annum, they believe. There are many opponents to this legislation too. They have raised serious questions and sought to draw attention to the restrictions on where and how many wholesale growing farms may operate, as envisaged in the Ohio Constitution.

If both amendments moved by the pro-marijuana activists are enacted, the issue will go to court because of the stiff opposition from several quarters. However, people, who are supporting marijuana, are not perturbed. The most recent poll from Quinnipiac University, conducted in July 2015, found that 52 percent of Ohioans support the legislation, while 44 percent oppose it. Can this be a game changer? Let's wait and watch!

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