Ohio voters adopted a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana on Tuesday (November 7), dealing a severe defeat to Republicans who failed to pass a planned law.
Ohio became the 24th state in the United States to legalize recreational marijuana use.
It implies that persons over the age of 21 will be permitted to use, grow, and sell marijuana under the state’s regulation and taxation program.
According to media sources, a 10% tax will be levied on non-medical marijuana transactions, with the proceeds going toward industry assistance.
The bill will go into effect in 30 days
“Marijuana is no longer a controversial issue,” said Tom Haren, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate MarijuanaLike Alcohol, while celebrating the outcome.
“Ohioans demonstrated this by passing State Issue 2 in a landslide. Ohioans are being extremely clear on the future they want for our state: adult-use marijuana legal and regulated,” the statement added.
A major setback for the GOP
The vote was a significant setback for the Republican Party, with its leaders, several organizations, and manufacturing units expressing concerns about the impact on worker and traffic safety.
It should be remembered that Republicans can still modify the law in the Legislature. However, since it has been approved by the public, the political stakes have risen.
However, some anti-marijuana advocates claim that their fight “is not over.”
Marijuana Action Strategies That Work President Kevin Sabet urged state lawmakers to repeal Issue 2 provisions that allow for commercial sales, advertising, and manufacturing at the very least.
Other states are expected to follow suit
Efforts are underway in states such as Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota to put recreational marijuana ballot issues before voters in 2024.
Meanwhile, new research estimates that legalizing marijuana will boost the Ohio economy by $260 million per year.
A study by Columbus-based Scioto Analysis also said it will add “roughly 3,300 new jobs in the first year after legalization.”
“Assuming these jobs are full-time and pay matches the average wage across the state of Ohio, this will amount to about $190 million in wage benefits for workers across the state,” it observed.
