Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today certified signatures submitted by the group ResponsibleOhio, to get a marijuana legalization issue on the fall ballot. Statehouse reporter Andy Chow has more from ResponsibleOhio on what happens next.
Secretary of State Jon Husted certified the second round of signatures turned in by ResponsibleOhio after hundreds of thousands of signatures submitted in June were thrown out. The group needed more than 305,000 valid signatures, it ended up with more than 320,000.
ResponsibleOhio's amendment would legalize marijuana and set up 10 growing sites, along with limited personal growing and state regulations.
Executive Director Ian James says the next goal is to convince voters, especially those who are for legalization but against the specifics of ResponsibleOhio's proposal.
"I think most people that support legalization will ultimately conclude that this is better than prohibition. Prohibition is hurtful, it hurts families, it hurts communities, it essentially surrenders our streets to the drug dealers and we need to take them back," said James.
Opponents say ResponsibleOhio is creating a pot monopoly. Another issue on the ballot would block the plan if it gets more votes.