As expected, Ohio voters have approved the Issue 2 ballot initiative, which allows adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of cannabis and 15 grams (about a half-ounce) of extract. Also, the measure will allow Buckeye State residents to grow up to six plants each through a government program.
With the passage of this initiative, Ohio has become the 24th state in the country to legalize adult-use marijuana and the 14th to do so by a public vote.
Understandably leading cannabis professionals are rejoicing over the news.
Lucas McCann, co-founder and chief scientific officer at CannDelta Inc, a New York City-based cannabis consulting firm, praised the positive benefits the legal market will accrue for Ohio.
“This step towards cannabis legalization signifies a progressive shift and the beginning of a chapter for the state, reflecting the shifting perceptions of cannabis across America,” he said. “Ohioans will soon see a bolstered state economy, increased job opportunities, and tax revenue that can be reinvested in Ohio’s aging infrastructure like schools and hospitals.
Jeffrey Zucker, co-founder and president of Green Lion Partners, a Denver-based business development strategy firm focused on early-stage developments in the legal cannabis industry, echoed McCann’s joy.
“This victory signifies more than just legalizing a plant; it’s about reshaping narratives, breaking down stigma, and fostering responsible cannabis use,” said Zucker. “I’m optimistic about the positive impact this decision will have on the Buckeye State’s communities and look forward to witnessing a flourishing cannabis landscape benefitting everyone.”
However, some were cautious and measured with their enthusiasm.
Stephen Post, a senior communications associate at Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit focused on cannabis criminal justice reform, lauded the passage of Issue 2 as a “significant milestone in Ohio’s journey toward cannabis legalization.” Yet he also expressed the belief that Ohio still falls short of providing relief to people whose lives have been adversely affected by the War on Drugs.
“Last Prisoner Project acknowledges the progress but urges Ohio’s policymakers to act swiftly in enacting state-initiated, comprehensive relief measures,” said Post. “The fight for justice extends beyond legalization; it demands a commitment to right the wrongs of the past, ensuring that those unjustly burdened by cannabis convictions find redress and freedom.”
As previously reported, sales in Ohio’s legal market are anticipated to generate between $276.2 million to $403.6 million in annual cannabis tax dollars by the fifth year of sales. Towns can opt out of selling marijuana if most of its elected officials decide in favor of doing so.