5 LEGALIZATION EFFORTS

Matt Hawout

TheNewsOutlet.org

YOUNGSTOWN

There are five legalization efforts underway in the state, four by ballot measure to amend the state’s constitution and one as proposed legislation in the House of Representatives. Following is a quick look at what the measures call for.

ResponsibleOhio

Initiative: Marijuana Legalization Amendment.

Ballot goal: November 2015.

Background: This business-backed, political action committee announced its plan to get on the November ballot. The group has cleared all certification and is collecting the needed 305,591 signatures to get on the ballot.

Amendment basics:

‘’Legalizes medicinal and recreational use for those 21 and older.

‘’Limits commercial production to 10 growing locations.

‘’Includes licensing provisions for product manufacturing and retail outlets.

‘’Creates a dispensary system to handle medicinal marijuana.

‘’Establishes five regional testing facilities.

‘’Includes a flat tax of 15 percent, with 55 percent going to municipal and township governments, 30 percent to county government; and 15 percent to fund a marijuana control commission. The governor would appoint commission members, who will serve staggered terms.

‘’Allows residents to grow up to four plants for personal use.

Website: ResponsibleOhio.com.

Ohio Rights Group

Initiative: Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment.

Ballot goal: November 2015.

Background: This Columbus-based, nonprofit organization has been working on a constitutional amendment since 2013, with plans to get it on the Nov. 3 ballot. The group’s amendment was certified and they’ve been trying to get the necessary signatures. They aimed for 2016 ballot, but moved it up to 2015 because of ResponsibleOhio’ plans. The group has the minimum required signatures in 30 of the required 44 states to be put on the ballot.

Amendment basics:

‘’Legalizes cannabis for medical, therapeutic and industrial uses; does not legalize recreational use.

‘’Applies to those 18 and older and children with a written consent by a parent or guardian.

‘’Patients may grow, possess and purchase medical cannabis in the form of plant matter, tinctures, salves and edibles.

‘’Proposes legal amnesty to patients, practitioners and providers of medical cannabis. Current laws regulating the possession and sale of recreational marijuana unchanged.

‘’Promotes use of industrial hemp.

Website: www.ohiorightsgroup.org.

Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis

Initiative: End Ohio Cannabis Prohibition Act.

Ballot Goal: November 2016.

Background: This political action committee wanted to get its more permissive amendment on the November ballot, but hit a roadblock in February when the attorney general rejected its petition proposal because it did not have enough valid signatures. The group plans to resubmit.

Amendment basics:

‘’Allow anyone 18 and older to “produce, cultivate, possess, transport, distribute, consume, or otherwise engage in the use of cannabis products for personal use and cannabis paraphernalia.”

‘’Allow noncommercial growing for personal use of up to 24 plants per person per household.

‘’Grants legal amnesty and immediate release from detention facilities, probation and deletion of criminal records for cannabis charges and convictions.

‘’Prohibits testing for cannabis by prospective employers, insurance companies, or for licensing.

‘’Only marijuana produced for sale ($400 a year or more) would be taxed.

‘’Licensing fees for cultivation top out at $1,250.

‘’Authorizes sales tax on commercial sales.

‘’No restrictions on potency.

Website: www.responsibleohioans.org.

Ohioans to End Prohibition

Initiative: Cannabis Control Amendment.

Ballot goal: November 2016.

Background: In January, this Cleveland-based group announced it planned a ballot initiative. The group has yet to submit summary and amendment to the attorney general.

Amendment basics:

‘’Legalizes medical and recreation use for adults 21 and older.

‘’Legalizes possession of 100 grams or less of cannabis for recreational use.

‘’Adults may grow up to six mature plants for personal use.

‘’Medical marijuana would not be taxed.

‘’Medical marijuana patients may possess up to 200 grams of marijuana and may grow up to 12 mature plants.

‘’Employers cannot fire medical marijuana users if they test positive for the substance.

‘’Licenses are required for commercial production, however, there are no specified growing locations.

‘’Commercial licenses cost $5,000 plus an activation fee of no more than $1,000. Licenses would be renewed yearly.

‘’Money from taxes and licensing fund local governments, the state’s public pension system, drug education and addiction treatment programs.

Website: www.legalizeohio2016.org.

Ohio House Bill 33

Legislative bill: “Seizure disorders ‘” authorize use of cannabidiol and other cannabis-derived drugs and substances.”

Background: House bill introduced Feb. 3 by primary sponsors, Wes Retherford, R-Hamilton, and John M. Rogers, D-Mentor on the Lake. The bill was referred to the Health and Aging Committee on Feb. 10.

Bill basics:

‘’Allow patients diagnosed with seizure disorders to have access to drugs derived from cannabis known as cannabinoids, specifically a chemical known as cannabidiol or CBD.

‘’Patients can legally use a cannabinoid extract, and may participate in clinical trials.

‘’Requires the cannabinoid extractions to contain little or no plant material, and be essentially non-psychoactive, with less than 3 percent THC, the substance that produces the high.

‘’Requires diagnosis only by doctors at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

‘’Protects patients, their caretakers or guardians, and medical professionals from prosecution for taking and possessing substance.

‘’Would apply only to .7 percent of Ohio residents, according to analysis of data from The Epilepsy Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on curing the condition.

Website: www.legislature.ohio.gov, http://1.usa.gov/1xgJ6AU.

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