Ohio recreational marijuana plan would give tax revenue to criminal justice, local governments

Advocates for recreational marijuana submitted paperwork for a constitutional amendment Monday, which would allow people age 21 and over to possess the plant without criminal penalties and for the state to regulate cannabis like alcohol.

The group said in a statement they’re aiming to get on the November ballot. They have several hurdles to overcome to get there. But if the public approves it, recreational marijuana could be sold out of medical marijuana dispensaries beginning July 1, 2021.

Other dispensaries, cultivators and businesses could obtain licenses after that to participate in the recreational program.

The backers, not all of whom are named, include people who hold licenses in the state’s medical marijuana program and people who do not, such as Carrie Bebee, a Marysville mother of two sons with autism.

Other supporters are Evan Spencer of Columbus, a former Ohio State University and NFL football player who said he’s seen first-hand the effects opioids have on athletes and believes cannabis should be an option for pain; Mark Welty of New Philadelphia, who operates the only addiction and mental health treatment clinic in Ohio that also provides a physician on-site to evaluate and recommend medical marijuana; and medical marijuana patient Anthony Riley of Columbus, who has a traumatic brain jury, among other conditions, and is a patient advocate. [Read more at Cleveland.com]