Northeast Ohio Democratic lawmakers introduce the Just Like Alcohol recreational

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Northeast Ohio Democratic state lawmakers are introducing a bill to advance the planned initiated statute by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which would legalize cannabis for adult use.

The announcement by State Reps. Casey Weinstein of Hudson and Terrence Upchurch of Cleveland came Wednesday, on April 20, or 4/20, a sort of holy holiday for marijuana consumers.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is made up of Ohio medical marijuana business owners who want to expand. The coalition first announced its plan last July. Since then, it has been working toward getting it on the Nov. 8 ballot, which has involved submitting ballot language and collecting signatures.

On Jan. 28, the coalition cleared the latest hurdle when Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent the plan to the legislature. The Ohio General Assembly has until May 28 to pass a bill based on the plan or one similar to it. But the Republican-dominated legislature hasn’t yet seen a bill based on the coalition’s plan until now.

If the legislature doesn’t pass Weinstein and Upchurch’s bill, the coalition would then have to collect more signatures to get it on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Weinstein and Upchurch are advocates of relaxing cannabis laws in Ohio. Last year, they introduced House Bill 382, which would also legalize and tax recreational marijuana. The bill has received no committee hearings. Similarly, the bill announced Wednesday faces obstacles with conservatives leading the legislature. In February, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman said he’s not interested in the legislature passing the coalition’s plan.

“Marijuana legalization is overdue in Ohio,” Weinstein said in a statement. “The hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters who signed this petition—and millions more who support legalization statewide—asked for action from our legislature. Instead, GOP leaders have ignored them.”

“Legalizing cannabis would create good-paying jobs and generate significant revenue for our state,” Upchurch said. “We must listen to the overwhelming support from voters and take action to finally legalize cannabis in Ohio.”

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol’s plan would allow people ages 21 and older to grow, possess and purchase marijuana. It would levy a 10% tax on marijuana purchases, with revenue going toward substance abuse and addition research, to communities with dispensaries and to job creation.