Two Democratic lawmakers from Northeast Ohio, Rep. Casey Weinstein and Terrence Upchurch, have introduced legislation for adult-use recreational marijuana.
Weinstein, of Hudson, and Upchurch, of Cleveland, have introduced a bill that comes with four major components: decriminalization, marijuana excise tax, commerce and licensing, and medical marijuana.
“This bill is much needed in Ohio, and it’s time for Ohio to become a national leader in marijuana decriminalization and legalization. This bill is more than just about legalization, it’s about economic and workforce development, it’s about decriminalization, and it’s about healthcare! The time is now, and I look forward to getting this done in a bipartisan fashion,” said Rep. Upchurch.
The legislation would allow for adult cultivation and possession of marijuana, and allows for the expungement of conviction records for previous cultivation and possession offenses.
“It’s time to lead Ohio forward,” said Rep. Weinstein. “This is a big step for criminal justice reform, for our veterans, for economic opportunity, and for our individual liberties.”
“When we talk about criminal justice aspects, this bill would have a direct impact on communities I represent and people that look like me,” Rep. Upchurch said. “These are folks having a hard time applying for student loans, getting employment, and I think if we are able to expunge these records and allow these people to finally matriculate back into society, we’ll begin to see these communities make a turn for the better.”
The bill would additionally levy an excise tax of 10% on a marijuana retailer’s or microbusiness’s gross receipts from the sale of marijuana. The money from the tax revenue would: fund primary and secondary education, help repair roads and bridges and up to $20 million annually for two years would be used for clinical trials that would research the efficacy of marijuana in treating conditions of veterans and preventing veteran suicide.
The bill needs a bill number and committee assignment.
