Republicans introduce marijuana legalization bill

SANDUSKY — Two Republicans in the Ohio House have introduced a bill that would fully legalize marijuana possession and use in Ohio. House Bill 498, authored by state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, and state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, seems to have a better chance of passage than an earlier and similar bill introduced by Democrats, as Republicans control the Ohio General Assembly. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, however, opposes marijuana legalization. The bill comes as another effort to legalize cannabis, by possibly forcing a statewide vote, appears to be advancing. Callender's House Bill 498 was introduced in early December and has been referred to the Ohio House's Finance Committee. The measure would allow adults (21 and older) to buy and possess up to 50 grams of marijuana. They could grow up to six plants for personal use, with three mature at any given time. Adults could give each other up to 25 grams of marijuana. The state would levy a 10% tax on marijuana products, with 50% of the state tax revenue going to the state general fund, 25% to fight illegal drug trafficking and 25% for treatment programs to deal with substance use disorder. The best-known national group pushing for legalization, NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has been urging its Ohio members to lobby in favor of the bill. State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, said he'll keep an open mind on the proposal but is more interested in tinkering with the state's medical marijuana law. "I'm going to watch the process play out. Read the bill and look at the testimony like any other bill," Swearingen said. "But more so interested in how it might be more appropriate to revisit the medicinal purposes with the oversight of a physician to take the place of pharmaceuticals like opiates, which can be highly addictive." Meanwhile, an Ohio organization, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, is making progress in its own marijuana legalization effort, an attorney for the group says. The coalition is using an initiated statute process that could ultimately result in putting a measure on the state ballot. It is currently wrapping up gathering about 130,000 signatures to place its own marijuana legalization effort before the Ohio General Assembly. That will be done in a matter of days, said Cleveland attorney Tom Haren, the group's main spokesman. It will be done before December ends, he said. Once that happens, state lawmakers will have four months to approve the group's marijuana legalization proposal. If they don't act, the group has the option of launching a second petition drive to put the proposal on the state ballot, letting voters settle the issue.