Lawmaker's sibling is backer of push to legalize marijuana use

COLUMBUS

The sibling of a state lawmaker is among the investors in an effort to legalize marijuana in the state.

Nanette Lepore, a Youngstown native and younger sister of Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, was among 10 backers announced Friday by ResponsibleOhio, the group behind a prosed marijuana ballot issue.

She’s also the sister-in-law of former state Rep. Bob Hagan (D-Youngstown), who offered legislation in past general assemblies to legalize marijuana for medicinal and other uses.

Lepore is a New York fashion designer who graduated from Youngstown State University.

“This is an incredible opportunity for places like my hometown of Youngstown to generate significant dollars for things like road and bridge repair, which in turn will create thousands of needed jobs,” she said in a released statement. “I’m proud to stand with ResponsibleOhio because it’s the most thoroughly researched and thoughtful method of legalizing marijuana for medical and personal use.”

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