In August 2021, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol was approved to begin circulating a petition to collect signatures for a measure to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults’ use in Ohio. Below is a summary of the initiative. You can read the full text of the initiative here.
Personal use allowances. The measure allows adults 21 and older to:
Possess and purchase up to two and a half ounces of cannabis, including up to 15 grams of concentrate; and
Cultivate up to six plants in a secured location (with no more than 12 plants per residence).
Adult-use cannabis market regulations. The measure:
Establishes the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) within the Department of Commerce to regulate adult-use cannabis businesses;
Directs the DCC to establish detailed rules to promote public health and safety, including regulations related to packaging, labeling, and product testing;
Creates a tiered licensing system for cannabis cultivators as well as licenses for adult- use cannabis stores, laboratory testing facilities, and processor facilities; and
Allows municipalities to restrict or prohibit cannabis businesses within their jurisdiction.
Social Equity and Jobs Program. The measure establishes a program to:
Research issues related to social equity and fund direct investment in disproportionately impacted communities;
Provide financial and technical assistance to individuals certified under the program;
Encourage employment practices for adult- use cannabis operators to hire and educate people from historically disadvantaged groups; and
Establish an advisory board to provide recommendations to the Ohio Department of Development.
Taxation and revenue allocation. The measure:
Imposes a 10% sales tax on cannabis, in addition to regular state and local sales taxes; and
Allocates:
36% of the tax revenue to support social equity and jobs programs;
36% of the tax revenue to provide funding for communities who host adult- use cannabis dispensaries;
25% of the tax revenue to fund education and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders; and
3% of the tax revenue to the Division of Cannabis Control and Tax Commissioner fund to cover regulatory and administrative costs for overseeing the adult- use cannabis industry.