High Hopes: Over 58% of Ohio Voters Support Legalizing Adult Marijuana Use, Poll Reveals
Over 58% of Ohio voters are in favor of legalizing adult marijuana use, according to a recent poll by USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University. The survey, conducted from July 9 to 12 with 500 likely Ohio voters, revealed that 58.6% of respondents support allowing people over 21 years old to buy and possess marijuana, while approximately 35% opposed the idea, and 6% were unsure.
The poll showed that younger voters are more supportive of recreational marijuana use, with 76% of Ohioans aged 18 to 34 expressing their approval, compared to only 43% of Ohioans over 65.
The issue has garnered support from 77% of Democrats, 63% of independents, and 40% of Republicans. Interestingly, 76% of non-white respondents also showed support for legalizing adult marijuana use.
The recreational marijuana issue may be on the November ballot in Ohio. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted over 224,000 signatures to get the proposed law on the ballot, but election officials recently announced that not all of these signatures were valid. The coalition now has 10 days to gather an additional 679 valid signatures to support the proposal.
If the proposed law is placed on the ballot, it would require a simple majority of voters to approve it in order to pass. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol expressed confidence that the proposal would be successful if put to a vote.
In response to the growing support for recreational marijuana, some Ohio House lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill in May to legalize adult use, but it faces strong opposition from House Republicans and is unlikely to be put to a vote. Senate President Matt Huffman, an opponent of recreational marijuana use, argues that support may decrease as people become more aware of potential risks, such as effects on developing brains and traffic accidents. However, there is ongoing debate among researchers about whether marijuana is a proven "gateway drug" to other substances.
Advocates of a recreational marijuana program believe that it is not addictive and that regulation would make it safer. Representative Casey Weinstein, a strong advocate for legalization, noted that public opinion appears to be ahead of the legislature on this issue.
If the marijuana proposal is approved, it would become an initiated statute, not impacted by the Aug. 8 vote on Issue 1 that could make it harder to pass constitutional amendments. However, lawmakers would still have the power to amend or repeal the statute. Both Governor Mike DeWine and Senate President Huffman are known to strongly oppose a recreational marijuana program.
The proposed law would allow Ohioans aged 21 and older to buy and possess limited amounts of cannabis and concentrates. Additionally, they could grow a limited number of plants for personal use. Products would be taxed, with revenue allocated to administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries, and a social equity and jobs program to assist those disproportionately affected by current marijuana laws.
Currently, 23 U.S. states have legalized marijuana, and Ohio previously legalized medical marijuana in 2016. The fate of recreational marijuana in Ohio will likely be decided in the coming months as the Coalition strives to gather enough valid signatures to place the issue on the November ballot.
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