0:00
Ohio voters will go to the polls on
0:02
November 7 to decide whether to legalize
0:05
recreational marijuana issue two which
0:08
would legalize The Possession and
0:10
purchase of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis
0:13
for adults aged 21 and over is expected
0:17
to be a closed race arguments in favor
0:19
of legalization proponents of
0:21
legalization argue that it would
0:24
generate significant tax revenue for the
0:27
state create jobs and reduce crime they
0:30
also say that it would give adults the
0:33
freedom to choose whether or not to use
0:35
marijuana and that it would make it
0:37
easier for people to access safe and
0:42
products arguments against legalization
0:44
opponents of legalization argue that it
0:47
would lead to increased marijuana use
0:49
especially among young people they also
0:52
say that it would make it more difficult
0:55
to identify and prosecute impaired
0:57
drivers and that it would create a new
1:00
industry that would Market addictive
1:04
Consumers social Equity program The
1:07
Proposal also introduces a social Equity
1:09
program designated to provide financial
1:11
assistance to individuals interested in
1:14
launching businesses related to cannabis
1:16
cultivation or sales to be eligible they
1:20
or a family member must have a prior
1:23
encounter with the law regarding
1:25
marijuana and belong to a disadvantaged
1:27
group based on race gender dis ability
1:30
or economic status the future of
1:33
marijuana in Ohio if approved Ohio would
1:36
become the 24th state to legalize
1:40
recreational marijuana for adults
1:42
however the feature of marijuana use in
1:44
the state remains uncertain even if the
1:47
referendum passes as a citizen initiated
1:51
chature the proposal would initially go
1:54
to the Republican controlled
1:56
legislature lawmakers would have a
1:58
four-month window to approve it
2:00
according to state law but with many GOP
2:04
legislators strongly opposed the measure
2:07
is not guaranteed to advance the debate
2:09
over marijuana legalization in Ohio is
2:12
likely to continue even after the
2:14
election the outcome of the referendum
2:17
will have a significant impact on the
2:19
state's economy public health and
2:21
criminal justice system
