COLUMBUS – The group behind a proposal to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Ohio is reportedly planning to resubmit the language of its ballot measure, which was rejected by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office Thursday.
Ohio Families for Change says it will fix errors and may resubmit the issue as early as next week, according to a report at Cleveland.com.
DeWine’s office gave several reason for rejecting the petition for the proposed constitutional amendment, which would have gone before voters in November, including language in the summary that doesn’t accurately reflect wording of the actual amendment, according to a statement.
Three main reasons cited for rejecting the ballot language:
The summary language giving the General Assembly authority to regulate “marijuana commerce” does not accurately reflect the actual amendment language.
The summary omits references in the amendment that “Marijuana businesses shall be lawful only in those voting precincts in which the majority of the voters approved this section.”
The summary omits references in the amendment that “The General Assembly shall within 240 days after the effective date enact and enable laws, rules, and regulations consistent with this section.”
Supporters turned in a written petition to place the Marijuana Rights and Regulations Amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot on April 9th, DeWine said.
The measure would legalize the use, possession, and sale of marijuana for persons age 21 or older in Ohio and authorize the state to put a tax on it similar to the ones on alcohol and tobacco.
Ohio is one of 16 states where citizens could petition for initiatives to legalize marijuana.
Voters rejected a legalization measure 2015.