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
![What’s required of you in a Michigan traffic stop?](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Michael_Komorn_Legal_Tips.jpg)
What’s required of you in a Michigan traffic stop?
July 24, 2015 Dashcam video released this week from a traffic stop shows how a confrontation between a Texas woman and the arresting officer escalated. Given the circumstances in the aforementioned Sandra Bland case, we wanted to find out what is allowed and not...
![Detroit police make arrests at marijuana dispensary](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/decrim-650x390.jpg)
Detroit police make arrests at marijuana dispensary
The Detroit police raided and made arrests at marijuana dispensary in an article in the Detroit Free Press from July 14, 2015. Detroit police arrested two people and confiscated two firearms and drugs during a raid on a marijuana dispensary Tuesday afternoon. Police...
![Michigan Medical Marihuana Patient Bill of Rights](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lansing-Capitol-800x3902.jpg)
Michigan Medical Marihuana Patient Bill of Rights
On November 8th, 2008, by a majority of 63 percent, the citizens of the State of Michigan voted into law the constitutional initiative, Initiated Law 1 of 2008, ratified into law December 4, 2008, herein referred to as the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, MCL 333.26421...
![Colorado Supreme Court: Employers can fire for off-duty pot use](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Colorado-Supreme-Court-COATS.jpg)
Colorado Supreme Court: Employers can fire for off-duty pot use
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday Jun 15, 2015, that Employers’ zero-tolerance drug policies trump Colorado’s medical marijuana laws. In a 6-0 decision, the Colorado Supreme Court affirmed lower court rulings that businesses can fire employees for the use...
![How a sex toy put spotlight on Michigan civil asset forfeiture laws targeted for reform](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ginnifer-hency_komorn_law_3.jpg)
How a sex toy put spotlight on Michigan civil asset forfeiture laws targeted for reform
The headlines read... "How a sex toy put national spotlight on Michigan civil asset forfeiture laws targeted for reform" "State Legislators Reconsider Forfeiture Laws That Turn Cops Into Robbers" "Why Take My Vibrator?" Cops Legally Rob "every Belonging"...
![Reform Today’s Forfeiture Laws](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/qq.jpg)
Reform Today’s Forfeiture Laws
Everyday, I get calls to my office from medical marijuana patients and caregivers who have been raided or pulled over by police. Often times, these individuals are not arrested, and little if any paperwork is left behind by the various Narcotics Enforcement Teams....
![KOMORN LAW NEWSLETTER ISSUE #1 May 2015](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/medical-marijuana-newsletter.jpg)
KOMORN LAW NEWSLETTER ISSUE #1 May 2015
The Michigan Legal Advisor News Letters. Read the current newsletter from Michigan's #1 Medical Marijuana Defense Attorney Michael Komorn. KOMORN LAW NEWSLETTER ISSUE #1 May 2015 Michael Komorn is recognized as a leading expert on the Michigan Medical...
![Attorney Michael Komorn Lectures Students at the U of M Law School](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/komorn_at_U_of_M_law_school_4_2_14.jpg)
Attorney Michael Komorn Lectures Students at the U of M Law School
I wanted to give a huge thanks to University of Michigan Law School Professors Howard Bromberg, Mark Osbeck and Law School class. This past Thursday I had the honor of being asked to speak about my favorite topics, the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act and the practice...
![Jury Selection In Marihuana Cases](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Jury-800x3901.jpg)
Jury Selection In Marihuana Cases
A jury trial is fundamental to our democratic system of government. Every American citizen should embrace this responsibility by participating, and ensure justice prevails. by Michael Komorn I just picked a jury in a marihuana case, there were several perspective...
![Planet Green Trees Radio Episode 149-MSC People v. Koon](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Michael-Komorn1.jpg)
Planet Green Trees Radio Episode 149-MSC People v. Koon
The best resource for everything related to Michigan medical marijuana with your host Attorney Michael Komorn. Live every Thursday evening from 8 -10 pm eastern time. By Michael Komorn The Michigan Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion making a finding that...