Ohio’s medical marijuana program has made tremendous strides since its implementation in 2019. Its success has led to increased conversations about legalizing recreational cannabis use within the state. These conversations have become so prominent that there’s a candidate in the upcoming Gubernatorial election whose plans for the state rely on cannabis legalization. That candidate’s name is John Cranley, who formerly served as the Mayor of Cincinnati from December 2013 to January 2022.
Should he be elected the next governor of the Buckeye State, John Cranley has the goal of creating 120,000 new jobs paying at least $60,000 annually - and he plans to fund them by legalizing marijuana. To say that Cranley is an ambitious candidate for the State’s highest office would be an understatement. He plans to fill the jobs in order to help grow the State’s middle class within just four years of being elected.
After announcing his run for office in August of 2021, Cranley said he hoped to create projects aimed at advancing manufacturing, adding high-speed broadband and investing in a new energy economy, cleaner water and safer roads and bridges with at least 30,000 of the new jobs. His website further elaborates on his plans saying he ”will pay for these jobs by reprioritizing JobsOhio money, legalizing and taxing recreational medical marijuana, and utilizing existing capital improvement funds and annual line items as debt service for the additional bonds needed for rapidly achieving universal broadband, clean water, and safer roads.”
Additionally, Cranley’s criminal justice reform policy entails decriminalizing cannabis use across the state so that laws are not “unfairly applied to communities of color across Ohio.” Regardless, he still has quite a ways to go before he can see his plans come to fruition. There are two elections that stand between him and the Governor's mansion. He’ll be running against Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton who served from January 2014 until January 2022. Although she may not prioritize cannabis legalization as highly as Cranley, she shared on social media that, “I’ve long been a supporter of marijuana legalization so I’m glad it’s finally getting some bipartisan support.”
These remarks were made in light of the introduction of House Bill 498, the Ohio Adult Use Act, which was officially introduced by Republican representatives Jamie Callender and Ron Ferguson in December. This legislation would let adults that are 21 and older purchase and possess up to 50 grams of marijuana, while imposing a 10% excise tax on marijuana products. The funding would be committed towards fighting chemical dependency, illegal drug trafficking and the state’s general revenue fund. This proposal joins one made in September by Democratic representatives Terrance Upchurch and Casey Weinstein. This legislation known as House Bill 382, would let adults that are 21 and above to purchase and possess up to 5 ounces of cannabis while levying a 10% tax on retailers. The revenue would be used on secondary education and road infrastructure.
Cranley’s plans upon his election would entail drawing from that proposed cannabis tax revenue included in any potential upcoming legislation in order to facilitate his jobs plan. Just north in Michigan, adult-use cannabis sales generated over $200 million in sales and excise taxes in the fiscal year 2021, according to Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency. The excise tax is 10% in Michigan. Statewide, Republican legislators are torn in the Ohio General Assembly with 43% of members believing adult-use cannabis should become state law, and another 43% of the belief that it shouldn't. The remaining 14% are undecided on the matter, according to a poll taken in November of 2021.
On the other hand, 36% of State Democrats favor adult-use marijuana legalization, 14 % opposing and 50% who can’t decide. Still, there are obstacles that persist along the course of recreational cannabis legalization, most notably within leadership in the State Legislature and from the current Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine. Ohio Senate President, Matt Huffman, said that he wouldn’t act on a citizen-led proposal to legalize adult-use marijuana legalization.
As recently as this past January, DeWine said he was against legalizing adult-use cannabis. Since that’s the case, the legalization proposal staunchly opposed by Huffman is likely to be the only clear path to legalization in the near-future. The effort led by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected 132,877 signatures, which means Ohio voters will vote on it on November 8, 2022. If the Ohio General Assembly changes course before its mid-May deadline, the coalition can gather another 132,877 signatures prior to early July.
Medical Marijuana Is Still the Only Way to Legally Purchase and Consume Cannabis In Ohio - So Get Your Card Today!
Even though it may seem like cannabis legalization within the State of Ohio is imminent, that isn’t quite the case. Assuming that it is legal could lead to numerous ramifications that can make life difficult in a variety of ways. Regardless, having safe and legal access to cannabis can provide medical relief from dozens of symptoms. In order to obtain medical marijuana in Ohio, make an appointment with a medical marijuana physician today. Doing so can provide you with unparalleled therapeutic relief without the legal risks or consequences.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Ohio Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Ohio.
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