COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The hot-button issue of marijuana legalization is front and center in Ohio again and voters will ultimately decide whether or not it happens on Nov. 7.
A “No” vote opposes legalizing recreational marijuana for adult use in Ohio. A “Yes” vote supports legalizing recreational marijuana for adults 21 years old and older.
Issue 2 would regulate recreational marijuana use, including: cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession and home growth.
The plan also would allow for expungement of past convictions for nonviolent, low-level offenses of possession and cultivation of marijuana.
“Even a small interaction with law enforcement, a small possession of marijuana case can be a black mark on someone’s criminal record for the rest of their lives,” said Tom Haren, spokesperson for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.
Opponents of Issue 2 said legalizing marijuana would not have a significant impact on those charged with low-level marijuana crimes.
“Legalizing marijuana has nothing to do with social justice,” Smart Approaches to Marijuana Executive VP Luke Niforatos said. “We don’t think anyone who made a poor decision when they were 14 should never be able to get a job or vote, but those are things that should be taken care of through true criminal justice reform.”
Fresh Start Worship Center Senior Pastor Niki Hampton said she is not convinced that the passage of Issue 2 would be beneficial for the community.
“I am not convinced that it…
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