Recreational marijuana has been legalized in Ohio as voters overwhelmingly approved State Issue 2 on Tuesday. This groundbreaking decision now enables adults in Ohio to legally experience the advantages of marijuana for recreational purposes.
“Marijuana is no longer a controversial issue,” said Tom Haren, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which gathered petitions to put the issue on the ballot.“
Ohioans demonstrated this by passing State Issue 2 in a landslide. Ohioans are being extremely clear on the future they want for our state: adult-use marijuana legal and regulated.”
Issue 2 permits adults 21 and over to legally use and grow marijuana, starting on Dec. 7, according to Haren.
With all precincts counted, the final, unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State indicate that the vote was 56.97% in favor of the measure and 43.03% against it.
The new law expands legal use beyond the medical marijuana law approved by the Ohio Legislature in 2016.
Opponents of Issue 2 included public health and mental health advocates, law enforcement, business groups, and stakeholders who expressed concerns about the potential health risks associated with marijuana.
They argued that legalizing this drug could result in marijuana companies becoming unjustly enriched, while also exposing children to potential risks. Additionally, opponents highlighted concerns that legalization may heighten the likelihood of crime, workplace injuries, and dangerous driving conditions.
Issue 2 will:
- Allow adults age 21 or older to buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries.
- Allow people to cultivate six marijuana plants at a time, with a limit of 12 per household, without a license. It would be illegal to sell home grown marijuana.
- Expand Ohio’s medical marijuana system, offering licensed cultivators and dispensaries the chance to sell recreational marijuana, and also offering licenses to new applicants, including through a social equity and jobs program.
- Prohibit advertising to minors and mandate setbacks to keep recreational dispensaries away from schools.
- Tax each purchase at 10%. That money would be split 3% to cover regulatory efforts; 25% toward a substance abuse and addiction services fund; 36% toward a fund to create loans, grants and technical assistance to minority or disadvantaged business owners in the industry; and 36% toward revenue for local governments where recreational businesses exist.
More Posts
![Hearing in alleged false crime lab marijuana reporting dropped this week](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fox17.jpg)
Hearing in alleged false crime lab marijuana reporting dropped this week
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. – The evidentiary hearing originally set for Nov. 5 has been dropped in the case involving a medical marijuana patient charged with a disputed felony for synthetic THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The Ottawa County Assistant...
![“A non-stop political game:” Former MSP Forensic Science director on false marijuana reporting …](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Forensic-News.png)
“A non-stop political game:” Former MSP Forensic Science director on false marijuana reporting …
DEWITT, Mich. – A former director of Michigan State Police Forensic Science addressed the serious allegations FOX 17 uncovered, which accuse the Attorney General’s office and state prosecutors of influencing state police crime labs to falsely report marijuana;...
![Michigan’s medical marijuana law circumvented by crime labs’ THC reports, attorney charges](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mlive.jpg)
Michigan’s medical marijuana law circumvented by crime labs’ THC reports, attorney charges
Posted on MLive 10/30/15 OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – An attorney claims prosecutors pressured state police crime labs to change the way THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is reported in an effort to circumvent Michigan's medical marijuana law. Michael...
![Medical-Marijuana Patient Alleges Prosecutors Swayed Crime Lab Drug Tests](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Forensic-Mag-logo.png)
Medical-Marijuana Patient Alleges Prosecutors Swayed Crime Lab Drug Tests
Fri, 10/30/2015 - 4:11pm A Michigan medical-marijuana patient claims in court papers that state police crime labs are bending to pressure from prosecutors in analyzing marijuana samples, leading to harsher punishments. Maxwell Lorincz, 35, was originally...
![Hearing in alleged false crime lab marijuana reporting dropped this week](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fox17.jpg)
Allegations: MSP falsely reporting marijuana, targeting card-carrying patients
SPRING LAKE, Mich. – The defense representing a Spring Lake father facing a felony marijuana charge is accusing Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division crime labs of misreporting marijuana intentionally. It’s an allegation with statewide implications. ...
![When Being Hated…Is Revered](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Michael_Komorn_Legal_Tips.jpg)
When Being Hated…Is Revered
By Attorney Michael Komorn " Lieutenant, this lawyer is a pain in the ass, I can't stand him, I really hate him" This was my client's observation of the prosecutor after exiting the conference room she and I had been in for over an hour discussing and...
![Lawyer slams decision to deny cannabis to autistic kids](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Channel-4-Komorn-Autism-Panel-02.jpg)
Lawyer slams decision to deny cannabis to autistic kids
"Allowing medical marijuana for those with autism was supposed to be the clinical trial," Komorn said. "Instead, we're going to have criminal trials." Lawyer slams decision to deny cannabis to autistic kids The Detroit News Article August 28, 2015 - Lansing —...
![Father fighting to use medical marijuana concentrates](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Fox17News_Video_Grabs_Michigan_Medical_Marijuana_150425_11.jpg)
Father fighting to use medical marijuana concentrates
April 23, 2015 - In Western Michigan yet another Michigan Medical Marijuana patient is fighting for his freedom in a system of confusing laws. He is also fighting for the right to see his child all while the State of Michigan possibly destroys his family and...
![Prosecutors drop marijuana charges against Michigan mom](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ginnifer-hency_komorn_law_3.jpg)
Prosecutors drop marijuana charges against Michigan mom
Aug 5, 2015 - After a year long battle, Michigan Attorney Michael Komorn and his staff have chalked up another positive conclusion for a client caught up in the medical marijuana and forfeiture debacle. Some may consider it a win, but this slow ruination of a family...
![Security Systems – You should have one!!](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/security_systems_400.png)
Security Systems – You should have one!!
For most... a security video system is a tool to protect themselves from liability, false accusations and identify activities around their home or business. For some, such as thieves, those who make false accusations and liars...it works against them. There...