COLUMBUS – Backers have been cleared to begin gathering signatures for a proposal establishing a process for purging old pot-related convictions made obsolete by marijuana legalization should that be approved by voters.
Ohio’s ballot board certified the Fresh Start Act on Wednesday.
The proposal calls for reviewing and expunging criminal records for people with previous marijuana convictions if their actions would no longer be considered illegal under the legalization amendment, which may be on the ballot on Nov. 3.
ResponsibleOhio, the group behind a fall marijuana legalization effort, considers the initiated statute the next step in its efforts.
“We are pleased that the Ballot Board has enabled us to move forward with gathering signatures for the Fresh Start Act. When marijuana becomes legal in Ohio, enacting the Fresh Start Act will be the next major milestone we must reach to right the wrongs of failed marijuana prohibition,” said ResponsibleOhio executive director Ian James.
Hear an interview with Ian James on his group’s proposed amendments
The group must now collect some 92,000 valid signatures by year’s end in order to put the issue before state lawmakers next year. Legislators would need to act within the first four months of 2016 or supporters would have the option to put the question to voters next fall.
ResponsibleOhio recently submitted nearly 700,000 signatures for the Marijuana Legalization Amendment, which will be on the ballot pending certification of these signatures by the Ohio Secretary of State. The proposal would legalize marijuana in Ohio for personal use by adults 21 years of age and older and for medical use.