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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom