Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Ohioans would consume more than 244 metric tons of marijuana annually by 2020 if the drug was legalized for medicinal and personal uses, a group behind a proposed constitutional amendment said March 10.
ResponsibleOhio projected $2.3 billion in annual marijuana sales under its ballot issue, generating more than half a billion dollars each year in tax revenues for local governments and other purposes.
"Ohioans already spend as much as a couple billion dollars each year on illegal marijuana, while our communities are simply not seeing the benefits," Lydia Bolander, campaign spokeswoman, said in a released statement. "That money could be in the hands of local governments and small businesses instead of drug dealers."
ResponsibleOhio has proposed the creation of a control commission to regulate marijuana production and sales in the state. The amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown, including locations in Hudson in Summit County and Alliance in Stark County, and five testing facilities to check drug supplies for potency and safety, including a site in Mahoning County.
Retail sales of the drug would be taxed at 5 percent, while growers and processors would pay a 15 percent tax on their purchases.
The ballot language also would allow anyone 21 or older to grow up to four marijuana plants at home, as long as they have obtained permits in advance and the growing area is secure.
The proposed constitutional amendment and petition language has been submitted to Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine's office for review.
Once DeWine and the state Ballot Board give their approvals, ResponsibleOhio can begin collecting the 300,000-plus signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.
On March 10, the campaign released its projections on the potential tax impact of legalized marijuana, saying the move would generate about $476 million annually for local governments and about $78 million for the control commission, addiction services, research and enforcement.
Gov. John Kasich and other statewide Republican office-holders have said they oppose the proposed ballot issue. DeWine has called it a "stupid idea."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legalized pot backers project $2.3 billion in annual sales in Ohio under ballot issue - Stow Sentry | Stow & Munroe Falls, OH
Author: Marc Kovac
Contact: mkovac@dixcom.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Stow Sentry | Stow, Munroe Falls | News, Sports, Classifieds
ResponsibleOhio projected $2.3 billion in annual marijuana sales under its ballot issue, generating more than half a billion dollars each year in tax revenues for local governments and other purposes.
"Ohioans already spend as much as a couple billion dollars each year on illegal marijuana, while our communities are simply not seeing the benefits," Lydia Bolander, campaign spokeswoman, said in a released statement. "That money could be in the hands of local governments and small businesses instead of drug dealers."
ResponsibleOhio has proposed the creation of a control commission to regulate marijuana production and sales in the state. The amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown, including locations in Hudson in Summit County and Alliance in Stark County, and five testing facilities to check drug supplies for potency and safety, including a site in Mahoning County.
Retail sales of the drug would be taxed at 5 percent, while growers and processors would pay a 15 percent tax on their purchases.
The ballot language also would allow anyone 21 or older to grow up to four marijuana plants at home, as long as they have obtained permits in advance and the growing area is secure.
The proposed constitutional amendment and petition language has been submitted to Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine's office for review.
Once DeWine and the state Ballot Board give their approvals, ResponsibleOhio can begin collecting the 300,000-plus signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.
On March 10, the campaign released its projections on the potential tax impact of legalized marijuana, saying the move would generate about $476 million annually for local governments and about $78 million for the control commission, addiction services, research and enforcement.
Gov. John Kasich and other statewide Republican office-holders have said they oppose the proposed ballot issue. DeWine has called it a "stupid idea."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legalized pot backers project $2.3 billion in annual sales in Ohio under ballot issue - Stow Sentry | Stow & Munroe Falls, OH
Author: Marc Kovac
Contact: mkovac@dixcom.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Stow Sentry | Stow, Munroe Falls | News, Sports, Classifieds
