Photo by Matthew Bornhorst on Unsplash
On November 7, 57% of Ohio voters said yes to allowing cannabis to be legally available to the adult population over 21 years old. Known as Issue 2, the citizenry devised and approved the ballot initiative, not state legislators. Fourteen states have now legalized adult use of cannabis via initiative ballot.
Ohio is now the 24th state in the U.S. to support a change of attitude toward cannabis and what benefits the plant offers. Retail licenses will not be issued right away, but as of December 7, 2023, adult Ohioans can legally possess and grow cannabis on their person and at their homes. Experts estimate that Ohio’s market will rise to $2 billion, contributing around $260 million annually to Ohio’s public benefits programs.