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Lawmaker renews calls to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana

L-R Democratic state Reps. Cedric Denson, Casey Weinstein, and Terrence Upchurch speak to group about legalizing marijuana in Ohio at the Ohio Statehouse, April 20, 2022
Jo Ingles
/
Statehouse News Bureau
L-R Democratic state Reps. Cedric Denson, Casey Weinstein, and Terrence Upchurch speak to group about legalizing marijuana in Ohio at the Ohio Statehouse, April 20, 2022

A move to legalize marijuana for Ohioans over 21 has been given new life on 4-20, a day when cannabis enthusiasts celebrate the plant.

Democratic Rep Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) says it’s time for Ohio lawmakers to pass the initiated statute that would legalize marijuana and allow it to be regulated much like alcohol.

“We are almost at a tipping point in our country where a majority of Americans are living in decriminalized, legalized states. We’re not asking Ohio to be a leader here. We are just asking Ohio to get with the program.”

If Ohio lawmakers don’t pass it by May 28, the group that collected 136-thousand signatures to put it before lawmakers can try to collect another 132-thousand by July to put it before voters this fall.