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.
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Six states had marijuana ballots that were voted on. 4 states are voted on adult-use (recreational) cannabis legalization and two states had medical marijuana ballots.
Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota have legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, as voters in each state approved their respective ballot initiatives at the ballot box. South Dakota also passed a medical marijuana initiative and became the first state in American history to enact both policies on the same day.
Below are links to in-depth details regarding the state, the ballot, the supporters, the donors, history and so much more from Ballotpedia. This website you could go in and never come out – there is so much past and current organized political data. Please donate and keep this entity running.
Starting A Cannabis Business? You will require legal guidance Komorn Law provides legal guidance and consultation to those interested in Cannabis businesses. Call Our Office 248-357-2550 or Google Komorn Law and do your research.
The following states had recreational ballots for 2020.
Proposition 207 also allowed anyone convicted of certain marijuana-related crimes related to possession, consumption, cultivation, and transportation to petition for the expungement of their criminal record starting on July 12, 2021.
See more in-depth details about South Dakota and electionshere.
Meanwhile…in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon voters considered two separate drug reform measures.
Measure 109 basically would legalize the medical use of psilocybin.
Measure 110 basically decriminalizes the personal possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, including but not limited to:
Cocaine
Heroin
Oxycodone
Methamphetamine.
It also reduces the penalties for possessing larger amounts.
Supporters say the objective is to remove those who are addicted to drugs out of the criminal justice system and to treat their addiction as a medical issue.
Measure 109 created a program for administering psilocybin products, such as psilocybin-producing mushrooms and fungi, to individuals aged 21 years or older. As of 2020, the manufacturing and consumption of psilocybin is illegal.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will be responsible for establishing the program and creating regulations. OHA has a two-year period to develop the program. An Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board (OPAB) advise the OHA. Clients would be allowed to purchase, possess, and consume psilocybin at a psilocybin service center and under the supervision of a psilocybin service facilitator after undergoing a preparation session. Under Measure 109, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) determines who is eligible to be licensed as a facilitator, determine what qualifications, education, training, and exams are needed, and create a code of professional conduct for facilitators. OHA would set psilocybin dosage standards and labeling and packaging rules.[1]
Measure 109 allowed cities and counties to place referendums on local ballots to prohibit or allow psilocybin-product manufacturers or psilocybin service centers in unincorporated areas within their jurisdictions. The measure prohibited psilocybin service centers within the limits of an incorporated city or town.
The measure reclassified personal/non-commercial drug possession offenses. Possession of a controlled substance in Schedule I-IV, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, was reclassified from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E violation resulting in a $100 fine or a completed health assessment. Individuals who manufacture or distribute illegal drugs are still subject to a criminal penalty. The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission estimated that convictions for possession of a controlled substance would decrease by 3,679 or 90.7%
Marijuana is fully legalized and retail sales are ongoing
Following the green sweep on election night, there are now 15 states that have given a thumbs-up to recreational and medical marijuana. But not all of them are currently selling the product. Right now, 10 states have waved the green flag on the sale and consumption of adult-use weed (listed alphabetically):
Alaska
California
California is the most populous state in the country and the most valuable marijuana market in the U.S. (and world). Though estimates vary, the Golden State could be raking in up to $11 billion in annual sales by 2030.
Colorado
Illinois
Maine
Despite legalizing adult-use cannabis in November 2016, it took Maine until Oct. 9, 2020 to officially launch the retail sale of recreational pot. Illinois also stands out as the first state to legalize the recreational consumption and sale of marijuana entirely at the legislative level.
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
Oregon
Oregon becomes 1st state in the US to decriminalize drug possession.
Voters were trippin’ in the West Coast state, approving two landmark measures — one to legalize psychedelic mushrooms and another that decriminalizes small amounts of illegal drugs.
Measure 109 passed with more than 56 percent of the vote, making Oregon the first state in the nation to allow supervised use of psilocybin, or magic mushrooms. It will allow for regulated use of ‘shrooms in a therapeutic setting.
Measure 110 was passing by a wide margin in unofficial returns updated Wednesday morning.
Selling and manufacturing drugs will remain illegal. Unless you are the government collecting taxes or using to keep part of the population addicted to hand outs.
Funding those programs some claim will come through the reallocation of tens of millions of dollars generated by Oregon’s cannabis tax.
The best part of it all. The measure also is likely (air quotes) to create savings in the criminal justice system because of fewer drug arrests, prosecutions and incarcerations. Those savings would be redirected into a new state fund for treatment and other services.
Washington
States that cannabis has been fully legalized, but retail sales haven’t yet commenced
That leaves five states that have passed legislation or voted to legalize adult-use cannabis (on top of medical use), but which haven’t yet opened retail locations. These five states are:
Arizona
Montana
New Jersey
South Dakota
Vermont
Medical marijuana is legalized, but adult-use weed is illegal
After the 15 states that’ve legalized both recreational and medical cannabis, 21 additional states have waved the green flag solely on medical marijuana. In alphabetical order, these states are:
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Finally, there are 14 states where cannabis is illegal… period! These states are:
Both recreational and medical marijuana are illegal
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
Not that County by County vote count matters much, but, this list will be instructive as to where mj businesses will be prohibited and allowed.
Many of the counties were lost by just a few hundred votes, of course, a few hundred votes of a small population is still a lot. Many counties were also won with just a few hundred votes.
My point is that when you see some future blowhard in the news saying “our county voted NO against this terrible devils lettuce”, that in most counties it was a pretty close vote. Some counties were almost exactly 50/50.
The large population centers (Ingham, Kent, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Genesee) carried the state and had the largest percent wins.
Ottawa and Huron counties had the largest NO votes/percentages.
PROP 1 By The Numbers
Yes 2,187,980 55.95 %
No 1,722,701 44.05 %
Thinking of Starting a Cannabis Business? Get the legal advice and guidance to keep you safe from a law firm
that is highly experienced in the medical marijuana patient and caregiver rights, licensing and legalization. Contact Komorn Law 800-656-3557.
Counties that Voted NO:
Alcona by 442 votes
Allegan
Alpena
Baraga
Branch (could change, 50% reporting)
Clare
Delta by 1,657 votes
Dickinson by 1308 votes
Gladwin by 476 votes
Gogebic by 214 votes
Gratiot by 285 votes
Hillsdale by 1230 votes
Huron — The largest no vote percentage with 60/30. Does anyone have an idea why Huron had 60/30? Large religious population?
Iron by 406 votes
Luce by 122 votes
Mackinac by 160 votes
Mason by 337 votes
Menominee by 1141 votes
Midland by 2430 votes
Missaukee by 1348 votes
Montmorency by 429 votes
Oceana by 423 votes (not finished counting)
Ontonagon by 250 votes
Osceola by 1021 votes
Oscoda by 137 votes
Otsego by 1111 votes
Ottawa –so far by 19487 votes (the largest population center to vote no)
Komorn Law has represented numerous clients through the legal chaos of starting up a business in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Industry as well as consulting and legal representation for Medical Maruhuana Patients and Caregivers.
If you or someone you know has been arrested as a result of Medical Marijuana, DUI, Drugs, Forfeiture, Criminal Enterprise or any other criminal charges please contact our office and ensure you’re defended by an experienced lawyer.
Attorney Michael Komorn is recognized as an expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group which advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.
Contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation 800-656-3557.
This page is for informational purposes only. Laws, regulations and the world change routinely, therefore we insist you consult an attorney for the most current legal information.
Voters will decide whether to approve recreational marijuana for adult use in Michigan. A “yes” vote on Prop 1 would legalize adult cannabis use, while a “no” vote would continue to only allow access in Michigan for medical marijuana.
Marijuana is one of three proposals on the ballot this year. (The others involve redistricting (Prop 2), and voting rights (Prop 3)
Organized by the D.C. nonprofit The Marijuana Policy Project, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol is comprised of a variety of advocate groups and stakeholders. The Marijuana Policy Project works to change state-level marijuana laws and increase public support for “non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.” Among the Coalition members are the Marijuana Policy Project, MI Legalize, Michigan NORML, the ACLU of Michigan and the Drug Policy Alliance.
Founded in 1995, The Marijuana Policy Project, (MPP), a D.C.-based nonprofit, worked with the Michigan group MI Legalize to organize the stakeholders that now make up the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol (CRMLA). In addition to MPP and MI Legalize, members include the ACLU of Michigan, MI Legalize, Michigan NORML, and the Drug Policy Alliance.
Billionaire Peter Lewis of Ohio, head of Progressive Insurance, was a major donor until his death at age 80 in 2013. It is reported that his family continues to donate to MPP, as well as New Approach PAC, another CRMLA donor.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER’S TAKE: “Michigan has a chance to get marijuana legalization right. I will be a yes vote on legalizing recreational marijuana when it appears on the ballot this November. As governor, I’m going to make sure we regulate marijuana so it doesn’t get into the hands of our kids and tax it so the money goes to fixing our roads and our broken education system,” Whitmer said to Bridge Magazine via email.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR BILL SCHUETTE’S TAKE: Schuette said to Bridge Magazine in an interview, “I believe in democracy and so if the citizens of Michigan pass it I will implement it fully, completely, according to the statute and and make it work if it’s passed… From my perspective, we don’t need to put more drugs in the hands of children…so I’m voting no on that.”
BENEFITS OF PROP 1:
Increased tax revenue: Legalization would create a new revenue stream for schools, transportation, and local governments. States such as Washington and Colorado have harvested millions of dollars in additional taxes. Experts estimate Michigan could make 100 million to 200 million dollars a year from marijuana taxation.
Falling arrest rates: States with recreational cannabis have seen arrest rates fall for marijuana-related offenses, keeping people out of the penal system and in the workforce. (It is worth noting that, while arrest rates fall overall, racial disparities in arrest rates do not vanish, with minorities continuing to be arrested at higher rates than whites.)
New jobs and businesses: A new industry expands the private sector, opening the door to more businesses and jobs.
Health benefits: Research indicates there could be some positive impacts, such as alleviating pain, nausea, seizures, and potentially helping users fight insomnia.
CONCERNS:
Health risks: Despite marijuana’s medicinal uses, it can be injurious to users’ health. Those prone to mental illness and adolescents whose brains are still developing seem to run the highest risk of ill effects, and “substantial” use can harm anybody’s lungs.
Public safety: There are concerns about road and worker safety. There is no test to assess whether or not a person is currently under the influence of marijuana, making it difficult to police the roads for drivers under the influence or identify impaired workers on the job. At the moment, research is muddled as to whether there is any effect at all on transit safety, positive or negative.
Hiring difficulties: Michigan employers are worried about finding workers that can pass a drug test. There are already areas of the state struggling with this issue, and some companies fear that easy access to weed will only exacerbate the problem.
Retired police Sergeant Steve Miller on Proposal 1
Marine Corps Veteran Josh on Proposal 1
Matthew Roman on Proposal 1
Rick Thompson on Proposal 1
Let It Rip on Fox 2 TV about legalization and Proposal 1
Police, Prosecutors declare war on Michigan legalization proposal
Don’t worry – The Government will figure out many ways to make money as they always do.
The amount they give away in lawsuits most likely negates the amount they take in from putting people in jail or forfeiture anyway. Why not remove the lawsuit factor and collect free money…Duh
Have you been charged with a crime? Remain Silent and Contact Komorn Law Immediately to protect your rights and freedom 800-656-3557.
Komorn Law has represented numerous clients through the legal chaos of starting up a business in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Industry.
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana, DUI, Drugs, Forfeiture, Criminal Enterprise, etc. Please contact our office and ensure you’re defended by an experienced lawyer in the evolving laws.
Lead attorney Michael Komorn is recognized as an expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group which advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.
Contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation 800-656-3557.
