More pot signatures submitted for Ohio ballot

By Marc Kovac | July 31, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

The group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana use in the state submitted additional signatures to the secretary of state’s office Thursday, with hopes of qualifying for the November ballot.

ResponsibleOhio collected the 95,572 new names over the past 10 days, after its initial submission fell short of the 305,000-plus required, though the group and Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted remain at odds over the actual petitions totals.

“The enthusiastic and overwhelming response we’ve received from hundreds of thousands of voters across the state has shown us one thing – it’s time for marijuana legalization in Ohio,” Ian James, executive director, ResponsibleOhio, said in a released statement. “Despite some politicians’ games, we look forward to presenting to voters our comprehensive plan to tax, regulate and make marijuana safe in our state.”

James has questioned the signature count reported by the secretary of state, alleging that 40,000 names were not counted and 20,000 were improperly invalidated. ResponsibleOhio plans to pursue a legal challenge concerning those names.

Husted this week named a special investigator to review discrepancies in ResponsibleOhio’s petitions.

ResponsibleOhio has proposed a structure to regulate marijuana production and sales in the state. Its amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown, including a location in Alliance in Stark County, 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.

State lawmakers have approved a separate ballot issue that would block the placement of business monopolies in the state constitution – a move backers say would block ResponsibleOhio’s marijuana amendment.