Backers of a state constitutional amendment that would allow voters to decide to legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol will soon start collecting signatures to put it before voters.
The Ohio Ballot Board has unanimously approved the language proposed by backers of the marijuana legalization plan as a single issue.
The initiative would allow Ohioans age 21 or older to possess, grow, use, sell and share marijuana in the state.
That means the activists who want to put it on the Fall 2019 ballot can begin collecting more than 300,000 valid petition signatures. Backers had hoped to get it on the ballot this fall but acknowledge that would be difficult considering the deadline is in early July.
Ohio’s medical marijuana program, which is set to be fully operational by September 8, would not be affected by the proposed ballot issue.
Voters previously defeated a recreational marijuana initaitive in 2015.
