A cannabis plant.Photo:Leon Neal/AFP via Getty
Leon Neal/AFP via Getty
Weed is now legal in nearly half the country after Ohio became the 24th state tolegalize marijuanafollowing Tuesday’s election.
Ohio voters approvedIssue 2, a referendum which allows adults 21 or older to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home, according toPolitico. Medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2016.
With the addition of Ohio, 53% of the U.S. population now lives in a state where adults can legally use weed. Minnesota and Delaware also legalized recreational marijuana use this year.
Many conservative Ohio lawmakers were staunchly opposed to the referendum, including Republican Gov.Mike DeWine.
The approved measure creates the Division of Cannabis Control within Ohio’s Department of Commerce to regulate the market. In addition, a 10% tax will be imposed on all cannabis purchases. Those funds will be allocated to addiction treatment, social equity and jobs programs and administrative costs.
A2023 Ohio State University reportprojects that legal marijuana will generate about $350 million in annual tax revenue for the state.
Because the measure is a citizen-initiated statute, it is subject to change, according to Politico. Republicans legislators opposed to the law can amend or even repeal it. However, strong voter support for the measure —57% of Ohio voters approved iton Tuesday — might deter lawmakers from attempting to repeal.
According to theAssociated Press, Republican Senate President Matt Huffman said he would look to target “questionable language” in Issue 2 regarding limits on THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana.
source: people.com
