Pubdate: Mon, 14 Mar 2016
Source: Dayton Daily News (OH)
Copyright: 2016 Dayton Daily News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/7JXk4H3l
Website: http://www.daytondailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/120
Author: Alan Johnson, The Columbus Dispatch

DEWINE NIXES MEDICAL POT PROPOSAL

Attorney General Noted 3 Errors in the Proposal.

A medical marijuana ballot proposal aiming for the November election 
was dealt a setback Friday when Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected 
the petition.

The Marijuana Policy Project, based in Washington, D.C., submitted 
its petition March 3. The group would have to gather 305,291 
signatures of registered voters to put a constitutional amendment on 
the ballot this fall. The national organization is working through an 
Ohio affiliate, Ohioans for Medical Marijuana.

After examining the wording of the proposal, DeWine rejected it 
because of three errors, including a confusion about the number of 
medical marijuana cultivation facilities. He also found fault with a 
provision that would prevent marijuana users from being penalized for 
"operating a motor vehicle, aircraft, train, or motorboat while 
impaired by marijuana." There was also a mistake about the date for 
obtaining a valid medical marijuana registration card.

Marijuana Policy Project officials estimated about 215,000 Ohioans 
with qualifying medical conditions could get marijuana in 2018 if the 
issue is approved by voters. A new state government agency would 
issue identification cards for people with qualifying ailments and 
licenses to businesses to grow, process and sell medical marijuana to 
patients. Qualified individuals could also grow up to six plants at home.

Ohio would be the 24th state to permit medical marijuana.

Last fall, Ohioans soundly defeated ResponsibleOhio's for-profit plan 
to legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom