Unsuccessful Ohio Medical Cannabis License Applicants Respond with Recreational Bill

A group of hopeful Ohio investors have announced their plan to fully legalize cannabis in the state after their bids for medical cannabis licenses were denied.

The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Amendment would expand current law to legalize the cultivation, possession, processing, dispensing and consumption of cannabis for anyone 21 years of age and older.

Jimmy Gould, chairman of Green Light Acquisitions, stated that 305,592 signatures are needed to file the ballot proposal for voters next year. The proposal will be finalized and begin circulation next month.

“I guess we’ll find out how much adult citizens want to be able to administer (cannabis) for themselves,” Gould said. “I think people want to have more control over their lives.”

The legislation would include provisions for the growth and storage of cannabis by anyone over 21 in a private location not accessible to those under 21, commercial licensing and regulation.

It also would allow for hemp cultivation in Ohio, which has fallen behind while neighboring states profiting from hemp cultivation.

Gould previously was behind Issue 3, which failed in all 88 of Ohio’s counties and would have legalized cannabis for medical and recreational consumption in Ohio. He stated that this new ballot proposal is very different from the previous effort.

“Voters are increasingly supportive around the country, and I’m sure there will be a lot of interest in Ohio,” said Chris Lindsey, an attorney for the national advocacy group Marijuana Policy Project. “Younger voters tend to be very supportive of legalization, and for that reason, some might suggest the presidential election in 2020 as the best time” to introduce the new ballot proposal.

“But Alaska and Oregon certainly didn’t wait,” he added. “They won at the polls and now have good programs.” Alaska and Oregon passed recreational cannabis legislation in 2015.

Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Commerce awarded 12 preliminary licenses. Currently, Gould is planning a lawsuit against the state.  His application was denied in what he called a ‘deeply flawed’ selection process in which a convicted drug dealer was awarded a preliminary license.

“If we lost in a fair and balanced process then we would accept that. That’s not what happened,” Gould said during an hour-long press conference in downtown Columbus.

The full preliminary proposal in available online, and the group is encouraging feedback on the document’s language.