Pot issue qualifies for Ohio ballot

By Marc Kovac | August 13, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Elections officials have verified that enough signatures were submitted by ResponsibleOhio to qualify the group’s marijuana-legalization amendment for the November ballot.

Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted announced the outcome Wednesday and certifed the signatures of 320,267 registered voters who signed petitions to place the issue before voters. A total of 305,591 signatures were required.

“It’s time for marijuana legalization in Ohio, and voters will have the opportunity to make it happen this November. We couldn’t be more excited,” Ian James, executive director of ResponsibleOhio, said in a released statement. “Drug dealers don’t care about doing what’s best for our state and its citizens. By reforming marijuana laws in November, we’ll provide compassionate care to sick Ohioans, bring money back to our local communities and establish a new industry with limitless economic development opportunities.”

The group initially submitted more than 695,000 signatures to the secretary of state, but officials validated only 276,082 of them, leaving a shortfall of about nearly 30,000.

ResponsibleOhio then had an extra 10 days to collect additional signatures, submitting another 95,500-plus. Husted certified 44,185 of those names, giving the group enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

ResponsibleOhio and Husted are at odds over the petition totals.

The group questioned the signature count reported by the secretary of state, alleging that some signatures were not counted and others were improperly invalidated.

Husted named a special investigator to review discrepancies in the petitions, warning the group about “an alarming number of fraudulent voter registration forms.”

ResponsibleOhio has proposed a structure to regulate marijuana production and sales in the state. Its amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown and five testing facilities to check drug supplies for potency and safety, including a site in Mahoning County.

Retail sales of the drug would be taxed at 5 percent, while growers and processors would pay a 15 percent tax on their purchases.

The ballot language also would allow anyone 21 or older to grow up to four marijuana plants at home, as long as they have obtained permits in advance and the growing area is secure.

ResponsibleOhio’s amendment is the third issue on the statewide general election ballot, joining a redistricting reform package and a separate issue OK’d by lawmakers to block the addition of business monopolies to the state constitution.

The latter would counter the ResponsibleOhio amendment.