Pubdate: Sat, 15 Aug 2015
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Matt Pearce

OHIO TO VOTE ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Ohio will vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in 
November, state officials have announced.

If the measure passes, Ohio would become the first Midwestern state 
to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, joining four other 
states and the District of Columbia.

A pro-marijuana group, ResponsibleOhio, gathered enough signatures to 
place the measure on the ballot, Secretary of State Jon Husted said 
in a statement this week.

The group needed 305,267 signatures and got 320,267 after initially 
coming up short in June.

The amendment would legalize medical marijuana and the recreational 
use of up to one ounce for adults 21 or older. Limited amounts of 
home growing would also be allowed.

"It's time for marijuana legalization in Ohio, and voters will have 
the opportunity to make it happen this November," ResponsibleOhio 
Executive Director Ian James said in a statement.

"Drug dealers don't care about doing what's best for our state and 
its citizens," James said. "By reforming marijuana laws in November, 
we'll provide compassionate care to sick Ohioans, bring money back to 
our local communities and establish a new industry with limitless 
economic development opportunities."

The measure would also establish a marijuana control commission to 
regulate growth, distribution and sales in the state. Ten locations 
across the state would be selected for licensed growing operations.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom