CLEVELAND — Ohio will soon become the 24th state with legalized recreational marijuana after voters passed Issue 2 on Tuesday.
The passage of Issue 2 will allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home. A 10% tax will be imposed on purchases, with proceeds going to administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries, and social equity and jobs programs.
As a citizen-initiated statute, though, the law is anything but secure. Republicans who remain opposed to it in the Ohio Legislature are free to make tweaks to the law — or even repeal it, though the political stakes are higher now that the voters have approved it.
Issue 2 will take effect on Dec. 7, 30 days after its successful passing.
The measure was spearheaded by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol and went through a nearly two-year push before Tuesday's passage. GOP Secretary of State Frank LaRose first submitted petitions to the Ohio General Assembly on behalf of the coalition in January 2022, triggering a four-month countdown for lawmakers to act. Republican legislative leaders didn’t, and lawmakers asserted the group’s petitions arrived too late for 2022 ballots.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine opposed Issue 2, citing traffic safety concerns, among other things. Some of the state's most influential business and manufacturing organizations also worked against the measure, citing concerns that workplace safety would deteriorate, absenteeism would rise and workers' compensation rates would be driven up.
Leading up to Tuesday's vote, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol argued that it's time Ohio legalizes and regulates cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sales of marijuana and marijuana products for adults 21 and older. Proponents say the measure will return tax revenue for pot purchases now going to neighboring states where it's legal, and help thwart the black market.
They touted Issue 2 as "fixing a broken system," while assuring localities where dispensaries are situated maintain some control over the system and reap a portion of the proceeds.
Opponents say the taxes collected will benefit the marijuana industry more than Ohio's budget.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb released the following statement after Issue 2 passed on Tuesday:
"Decriminalizing marijuana is a victory for all of us. State Issue 2’s passage promotes safe use, reduces the barriers that disproportionately target Black and brown people and finally ends the prison pipeline for cannabis use.
"Tonight’s results send a clear message to the country: abortion and marijuana legalization are winning issues. They are common-sense issues. While Republicans are a party of the past, pushing to restrict people’s individual freedom at every turn, the Democratic party trusts the American people to make the decisions that are best for them."
More Ohio Issue 2 coverage:
- Election day in Ohio: Live updates as voters decide Issue 1 on abortion and Issue 2 on marijuana
- Ohio Issue 2: Here's what you need to know about recreational marijuana legalization initiative
- Gov. DeWine, pro-Issue 2 voter weigh in on marijuana legalization
- Baldwin Wallace University poll shows Ohio voters in favor of Issue 1, Issue 2
- As Ohioans prepare to vote on marijuana legalization issue, here are 3 key developments to know