COLUMBUS, Ohio – A group pushing for a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in Ohio has rewritten its proposal to allow people to grow a limited amount in their homes.
READ MORE: In the Columbus Dispatch
A group called ResponsibleOhio is pushing to get the constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would legalize the sale of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. Backers of the amendment plan to spend millions to get it passed.
After sharp criticism of its plan to give 10 Ohioans exclusive rights to grow and sell marijuana in the state, the investor group behind the ballot initiative has come up with a new proposal: Let anyone 21 or older grow their own.
According to a report in the Columbus Dispatch, the group that calls itself ResponsibleOhio also wants to reduce the proposed tax for marijuana purchases at retail stores from 15 percent to 5 percent. The proposed tax for growing and manufacturing would remain at 15 percent.
“We believe that, like alcohol, marijuana can be used safely and should be tightly regulated. Adults over 21 years of age are legally permitted to brew their own beer, but they aren’t permitted to sell it,” said Lydia Bolander, spokeswoman for the group. “Our amendment will allow limited and tightly regulated home grow of marijuana, but like home brewing, individuals will not be allowed to sell to the public.”
The group wanted to see whether the General Assembly would address the issue of growing pot in individual homes, but with no lawmaker stepping forward, ResponsibleOhio decided to change the language to its proposed constitutional amendment.
The change would allow residents who are 21 and older to get a permit (the fee has not been determined) and grow up to four plants in an “enclosed, secure space that cannot be accessed by people under 21 years of age,” according to the group.
The group must gather 305,591 valid signatures of Ohio registered voters to place the issue on the November ballot. Language for the amendment was submitted last week, but ResponsibleOhio will circulate new amendment language and resubmit it with signatures.