The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA) resubmitted summary language for their cannabis legalization ballot measure this past Friday, August 13 in Ohio. Previously, the Ohio Attorney General, Dave Yost, R, rejected their initial proposal. According to Attorney General Yost, the summary had at least seven instances involving language concerns.

“The summary does not properly advise a potential signer of a proposed measure’s character and limitations,” Attorney General Yost wrote. “For these reasons, I am unable to certify the summary as a fair and truthful statement of the proposed chapter. However, I must caution that this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all defects in the submitted summary. Finally, I recommend that the Petitioners carefully review and scrutinize the remainder of the summary to ensure that it accurately captures the proposed chapter’s definitions, contents and purport before it is resubmitted to this Office.”

CTRMLA took the Attorney General’s words to heart and worked to revise and then resubmit their measure. Inside the summary, all seven points Attorney General Yost originally pointed out are covered. These include: 

• Defining the Division of Cannabis Control (Division)’s rule-making authority
• Explaining the purpose of cannabis social equity and jobs program
• Explaining additional procedures and requirements the Division must follow to exercise authority
• Limiting number of plants in addition to limiting cultivation
• Identifying additional protections for those who engage in legal conduct under the potential new law
• Establishing the disclosure on the Division requirements providing specific information to financial institutions
• Creating specific procedures for employers regarding hiring and employment policies

The CTRMLA ballot measure is 53 pages long, with an eight page summary detailing all aspects of the measure as simply as possible without missing wording. 

Ballot Measure

CTRMLA’s proposed ballot measure would legalize recreational cannabis possession up to 2.5 ounces for citizens 21 and over. Individuals could also have up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrate on themselves and grow up to 12 plants per household. Only six plants could be mature at a time. 

Additionally, a 10 percent sales tax would apply to cannabis sales. Tax revenue would become divided into four different areas. Social equity and jobs programs would receive 36 percent of cannabis tax revenue. Areas allowing recreational cannabis businesses to operate would also receive 36 percent. Education and substance misuse programs would receive 25 percent. Finally, administrative costs of creating and maintaining the system would receive the last three percent.

Attorney General Yost now has ten days to review the new summary and determine if activists can start collecting more signatures for ballot qualifications. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest

Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.