Home News Decriminalization of Marijuana Qualifies for A Local Ohio Ballot

Decriminalization of Marijuana Qualifies for A Local Ohio Ballot

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Decriminalization of Marijuana Qualifies for A Local Ohio Ballot

Activists in Ohio have qualified a measure to appear on a local 2021 ballot that would decriminalize marijuana.

This measure is just the first of dozens of reform proposals that could go before voters this year. Across Ohio, more signature-gathering efforts continue.

On Wednesday, the Hocking County Board of Elections certified that advocates had collected enough valid signatures to put decriminalization before voters in Murray City.

This development is the latest effort in a years-long grassroots push to enact policy change at the local level. So far, statewide efforts have stalled.

All in all, 22 Ohio jurisdictions have adopted local statutes that reduce the penalty for low-level cannabis possession.

NORML Appalachia of Ohio and the Sensible Movement Coalition (SMC) have led the Ohio decriminalization movement. Activists expect to see more reform measures validated by boards of elections across the state in the coming days and weeks.

Recently, in the village of McArthur activists turned in signatures for another initiative. Officials should validate the signatures soon.

Decriminalization efforts are also underway in the towns of Bellefontaine, Belmont, Bethesda, Bloomingdale, Bridgeport, Brilliant, Brookside, Chippewa Lake, Flushing, Gloria Glens Park, Holloway, Huntsville, Kent, Lakeview, Laurelville, Morristown, Mt. Pleasant, New Lexington, New Straitsville, Powhatan Point, Rayland, Rushville, Russell’s Point, Shadyside, St. Clairsville, Tarlton, Tiltonsville, and Yorkville.

Past Efforts

In past years activists have had success in major cities like Dayton, Toledo, Athens, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Some of these cities passed voter-approved ballot measures. Others took action through city councils. Currently, advocates are aiming to double the number of past successes just in this year.

Last year, reform groups had hoped to find success in more cities, but the pandemic caused many roadblocks. Nevertheless, in 2020 four cities approved the policy change. Initially, advocates planned to target 14 municipalities.

Despite covid regulations, groups continue to educate local citizens about their rights for “home rule and sensible decrim.”

Undeterred by the setbacks from the pandemic, advocates sued the state in 2020. They asked that they be allowed to gather signatures electronically. A federal judge sided with them in May of 2020, but an appeals court overturned the decision in the following month.

Last year, activists also wanted to put an initiative for marijuana legalization on the statewide ballot. But the effort was stalled by the pandemic.  

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