Ohio Issue 2 to legalize recreational marijuana passes

NBC 4 ^ | November 7, 2023 | David Rees

[Morgana]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Voters in Ohio have approved an initiative to become the 24th state in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana, the Associated Press has projected.

Issue 2 passed on Tuesday’s ballot to allow adult-use sale, purchase and possession of cannabis for Ohioans who are 21 and older. The measure, effective 30 days after the election, permits adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrate and grow up to six plants at home.

Those in Ohio who purchase cannabis will pay a 10% excise tax, the same rate as Michigan and Illinois, plus a 5.75% state tax, in addition to a local tax ranging from 0.25% to 2.25%. Some of the tax revenue will go toward equity and jobs programs, according to the initiative’s text. Patients within the state’s medical marijuana program will not be subject to the tax.

Ohio’s rate could generate $182 million to $218 million during the first full year of operations, according to estimates from Ohio State University’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center. By the fifth year, the state could collect $336 million to $403 million from an excise tax on marijuana.

Issue 2 will not automatically erase the criminal records of those previously charged with marijuana offenses. Still, the initiated statute will use 36% of tax revenue to launch a social equity and jobs program dedicated to sentencing, bail and parole reform, along with record-sealing and expungement efforts.

In addition, 3% of tax revenue will be dedicated to regulatory and administrative costs, 25% to addiction treatment and education, and another 36% to funding for communities home to marijuana dispensaries.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Yep. We’re about to face some kind of judgement or the final one.

[joesbucks]

That’s in part my point. Unlike you or I who can blow eternity, these souls have a good place.

[Augie]

How people equate ripping a baby from its mother's womb with consuming a plant that was given to us by God is beyond me.

One is murder, the other isn't.

I'll let you get back to your regularly scheduled programming...

[SaveFerris]

(We’re about to face some kind of judgement or the final one.)

We sure do live in interesting times.

✝️🙏🛐 - Luke 21:34-36

[Ez2BRepub]

Being from Ohio, I see the voting, held, as usual. In large lefty run cities- Toledo/Cleveland/Columbus/Cincy/Dayton, they voted for both issues, in large numbers. Besides being lefty, they also, have large black populations. Since blacks, seem to have a propensity to have babies out of wedlock, and, smoking pot, it is not a surprise, they would vote for both.

[mass55th]

"Good. You stink to."

You stink at spelling. You forgot the other "o" in too.

[TexasGunLover]

Expect the State to go down the Sh**ter in a year

It's been there since the 1960's.

[PATed]

Not really a big deal. It’s not like weed was hard to get in Ohio before the vote.

[dfwgator]

Whenever I go to downtown Dallas, I smell weed everywhere.

[1of10]

“who can blow eternity”

hmmm .... I don’t know about you ... but I have passed from death unto life.
If you haven’t ...you can.

John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life.

[LibsRJerks]

Weed IS everywhere. They’re smoking now in the workplace, smoking it many times daily. I work in psychiatry and half of my patients look high when they walk into the office. I don’t really even know who I’m talking to as most of them are stoned. Of course, the complaints are always “lack of focus and motivation.” GEEZ, I wonder why!!

[GranTorino]

Never said I didn’t.
Is that your comeback?
Nice.