News

Ohio marijuana legalization campaign adds more signatures

USING IT HERE COULD PUT YOU IN LEGAL TROUBLE. SO WE MADE THE DRIVE OURSELVES TO TAKE A LOOK JUST OVER THE STATE LINE OF MICHIGAN LIES MORENCI, THE STATES SOUTHERNMOST CITY AND HOME TO FOUR DISPENSARIES. >> TRAFFIC IS DEFINITELY UP. STEVEN: INCLUDING MICHIGAN SUPPLY AND PROVISIONS, I’LL PULL >> -- PROVISIONS. >> I’LL PULL OUT MY FAVORITE ONE THIS ONES THE GELATO. IT WAS ACTUALLY STRAIN OF THE HERE 2018. STEVEN: RECREATIONAL AND MEDICINAL MARIJUANA IS SOLD. IN THE BUCKEYE STATE YOU NEED A DOCTORS RECOMMENDATION FOR AN APPROVED AILMENT TO GET MEDICAL CANNABIS. >> SOMETIMES IT’S LIFE CHANGING. SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE JUST WANTING SOME EDUCATION. STEVEN: WITH A DOCTORS OFFICE FEEL, GENERAL MANAGER COLEMAN LABARR GAVE US THE INSIDE LOOK AT THE BRAND NEW DISPENSARY. WE’VE GOT FUDGE AND CHOCOLATE BARS AND THEN WE EVEN HAVE PEANUT BUTTER HONEY AND VEGETABLE OIL. STEVEN: WITH ACCESS TO WEED AND PRODUCTS SO CLOSE TO OHIO’S BORDER, IN ONE CASE LESS THAN A MILE, WE WANTED TO SEE IF ANY VEHICLES WERE HEADING BACK TO OHIO, AFTER VISITING A SHOP AND LEAVING WITH BAGS IN HAND. EVERYTHING IS LEGAL UNTIL THEY HIT THAT STATE LINE. >> WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO EDUCATE THEM, BUT ONCE THEY LEAVE OUR FACILITY, IT IS ON THEM. STEVEN: TROOPER SHELDON GOODRUM SAYS, OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL IS ON THE LOOK OUT. WE CERTAINLY HAVE AN INCREASED >> -- >> WE CERTAINLY HAVE AN INCREASED PRESENCE IN AREAS THAT WE KNOW THAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. STEVEN: WE COUNTED AT LEAST 5 CARS WITH OHIO PLATES IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE SHOP OPENED AND IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG. >> THAT IS OHIO. THAT’S GOING STRAIGHT INTO OHIO. STEVEN: A VEHICLE, WITH OHIO PLATES, PULLS OUT OF THE LOT, US RIGHT BEHIND THEM, ON THE ROAD, TO OHIO. IT’S EASY TO GET. IT’S THE SAME AS BUYING ALCOHOL HERE. 21-YEARS-OLD, VALID ID FROM ANY STATE. YOU CAN GET IT AND YOU CAN BRING IT RIGHT BAC >> IT IS ILLEGAL IN OHIO, SO IF YOU CHOOSE TO BRING ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE IS INTO OHIO, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO FIND OUT WHO YOU ARE AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE LEGAL ACTION. STEVEN ANOTHER TRIP INTO OHIO. YOU NEED TO KNOW THE LAWS BECAUSE THEY CHANGE AS FAST AS IT TAKES TO CROSS THE BORDER. >> IT IS ABOUT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MARIJUANA AND SUBSTANCES WE REALLY HAVE NO DISCRETION. STEVEN: BACK AT THE SHOP, LISTEN TO YOUR BUDTENDER, USE IT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY BE SMART ABOUT IT >> WE TRY OUR BEST TO TELL EVERYONE DON’T TRANSPORT ACROSS THE LINES. IT’S NOT SAFE. FIND A PRIVATE AREA IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN TO CONSUME >> IT CAN CAUSE ISSUES FOR US AT HOME, SO WE STAY VIGILANT. STEVEN: IN MICHIGAN YOU C PURCHASE UP TO 2.5 OUNCES OF MARIJUANA AT A TIME IF YOU GET CAUGHT WITH THAT IN OHIO YOU’LL FACE A MINOR MISDEMEANOR C

Ohio marijuana legalization campaign adds more signatures


A group seeking to legalize marijuana possession and cultivation in Ohio submitted nearly 30,000 additional signatures to state officials in an effort to put the issue in front of lawmakers this year.Earlier this month, it looked like the group might not get the nearly 133,000 signatures needed before Thursday's deadline, after the Ohio secretary of state said the group was about 13,000 signatures short as of Jan. 3.The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 29,918 new signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office, cleveland.com reported Thursday. The state must still verify those extra signatures, making sure they're all registered voters and there are no duplicate signatures, among other things. The coalition initially sent 206,943 signatures but only 119,825 were valid.Should the petition drive ultimately succeed, Ohio lawmakers will have four months to decide whether to take up the issue. If they don’t act, the group can get the issue on a statewide ballot in November by gathering an additional 133,000 valid signatures.The petition seeks to allow adults 21 and older to buy and possess 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of marijuana and grow up to six plants per person, 12 plants per household.Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016, with dispensaries opening in early 2019.Rep. Jamie Callender, a Republican from Lake County, introduced a legalization bill last month that calls for a 10% tax on marijuana sales, a provision included in the group’s petitions. Callender has acknowledged that Republican leaders don’t support his bill.

A group seeking to legalize marijuana possession and cultivation in Ohio submitted nearly 30,000 additional signatures to state officials in an effort to put the issue in front of lawmakers this year.

Earlier this month, it looked like the group might not get the nearly 133,000 signatures needed before Thursday's deadline, after the Ohio secretary of state said the group was about 13,000 signatures short as of Jan. 3.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 29,918 new signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office, cleveland.com reported Thursday.

The state must still verify those extra signatures, making sure they're all registered voters and there are no duplicate signatures, among other things. The coalition initially sent 206,943 signatures but only 119,825 were valid.

Should the petition drive ultimately succeed, Ohio lawmakers will have four months to decide whether to take up the issue. If they don’t act, the group can get the issue on a statewide ballot in November by gathering an additional 133,000 valid signatures.

The petition seeks to allow adults 21 and older to buy and possess 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of marijuana and grow up to six plants per person, 12 plants per household.

Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016, with dispensaries opening in early 2019.

Rep. Jamie Callender, a Republican from Lake County, introduced a legalization bill last month that calls for a 10% tax on marijuana sales, a provision included in the group’s petitions. Callender has acknowledged that Republican leaders don’t support his bill.


Source link

Show More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button