Proponents say legal weed would bring big money to Ohio communities

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

Ohioans would consume more than 244 metric tons of marijuana annually by 2020 if the drug was legalized for medicinal and personal uses, a group behind a proposed constitutional amendment said Tuesday.

ResponsibleOhio projected $2.3 billion in annual marijuana sales under its ballot issue, generating more than half a billion dollars each year in tax revenues for local governments and other purposes.

“Ohioans already spend as much as a couple billion dollars each year on illegal marijuana, while our communities are simply not seeing the benefits,” Lydia Bolander, campaign spokeswoman, said. “That money could be in the hands of local governments and small businesses instead of drug dealers.”

ResponsibleOhio has proposed the creation of a control commission to regulate marijuana production and sales in the state. The amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown, including locations in Hudson in Summit County and 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.

The proposed constitutional amendment and petition language has been submitted to Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office for review.

If DeWine and the state ballot board give their approvals, ResponsibleOhio can begin collecting the 300,000-plus signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.

On Tuesday, the campaign released its projections on the potential tax impact of legalized marijuana, saying the move would generate about $476 million annually for local governments and about $78 million for the control commission, addiction services, research and enforcement.

Gov. John Kasich and other statewide Republican officeholders have said they oppose the proposed ballot issue. DeWine has called it a “stupid idea.”