State Reps. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, and Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson introduced legislation last week that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Ohio. The bill has four major components: decriminalization, a marijuana excise tax, commerce and licensing in the industry, and medical marijuana.
“It’s time to lead Ohio forward,” said Rep. Weinstein. “This is a big step for criminal justice reform, for our veterans, for economic opportunity, and for our individual liberties.”
“This bill is more than just about legalization, it’s about economic and workforce development, it’s about decriminalization, and it’s about healthcare! The time is now, and I look forward to getting this done in a bipartisan fashion,” said Upchurch in a statement last Friday.
This legislation would allow for adult cultivation and possession of marijuana and allows for the expungement of conviction records for previous cultivation and possession offenses.
The bill would also levy an excise tax of 10 percent on a marijuana retailer's or micro businesses's gross receipts from the sale of marijuana. Excise tax revenue would be distributed in part to primary and secondary (K-12) education and for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges; up to $20 million annually for two years would be used for clinical trials researching the efficacy of marijuana in treating the medical conditions of veterans and preventing veteran suicide.
The bill now awaits committee assignment.
• • •• • •
