This week, Ohioans have begun voting on a citizens’ initiative, known as Issue 2, aimed at legalizing and regulating cannabis possession, home cultivation, and retail sales for individuals aged 21 and older. Recent statewide polls indicate majority support, with 59 percent backing the measure, primarily from Democrats and Independents. Nonetheless, some interest groups, such as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, oppose the initiative, expressing concerns about workplace safety.
The proposed measure allows adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or 15 grams of marijuana extract. They can purchase cannabis at retail locations or grow up to 12 plants at home (with at least two adults present). Retail cannabis products would be subject to a 10 percent tax, expected to generate substantial tax revenue for the state. Municipalities can choose to prohibit retail sales through local ordinances.
It’s essential to note that if the measure is approved by voters, state lawmakers can amend its provisions, as it’s a statutory question rather than a constitutional amendment. Ohio’s GOP-led Senate has passed a resolution urging voters to reject the initiative, but this resolution includes inaccurate claims about marijuana’s effects on intelligence and its connection to opioid-use disorder. Research shows that cannabis exposure is not linked to long-term changes in brain function, and most cannabis users reduce or stop their opioid use over time.
If Issue 2 passes, Ohio would become the 24th state to legalize the adult-use cannabis market, with 14 of those states having done so through public votes.
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