Ohio AG says state lawmakers can consider Fresh Start Act

COLUMBUS _ Secretary of State Jon Husted has officially notified the state Legislature about a marijuana legalization group’s effort to enable residents to clear certain drug-related offenses from their criminal records.

Husted earlier certified ResponsibleOhio’s proposed Fresh Start Act petitions. Today, he formally forwarded the initiated law change to lawmakers for their consideration.

Elections officials confirmed more than 117,000 valid signatures from registered voters that were submitted by ResponsibleOhio. A total of 91,677 were required to force the legislature’s consideration.

The Fresh Start Act is an initiated statute, meaning lawmakers would have to pass it and the governor would have to sign it in order for it to take effect.