ResponsibleOhio has 500K-plus signatures for proposal

With three weeks to go before the deadline, the organization pushing for marijuana legalization in Ohio said Tuesday that it has already gathered more than half a million signatures to put its proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot.

ResponsibleOhio needs to turn in the valid signatures of 305,591 registered Ohio voters for the state to consider its proposed constitutional amendment. Ian James, the group's executive director, announced that ResponsibleOhio has more than 550,000 signatures in hand.

"We're proud to have the support of so many Ohioans in our effort to legalize medical marijuana for the chronically ill and for personal use by Ohioans 21 and older," James said.

ResponsibleOhio also has qualified for the ballot in 70 of Ohio's 88 counties. State law requires that an initiative must qualify for the ballot in at least half the counties.

James has said ResponsibleOhio intends to file between 750,000 and 800,000 signatures with the secretary of state by July 1. If the group has met the required number of signatures, its proposed amendment will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

ResponsibleOhio proposes legalizing marijuana by creating a Marijuana Control Commission that would license 10 farms around the state to grow the crop. The farms have been selected and purchased by more than a dozen investors, including Cincinnati philanthropist Barbara Gould, former professional basketball player Oscar Robertson, former professional football player Frostee Rucker and Over-the-Rhine restaurateur Nick Lachey.

The proposed amendment also creates another 1,100 licenses for testing, manufacturing and retailing marijuana in Ohio.

James said the signature-gathering campaign has also been registering voters, and the registration drive will go through October.

"Roughly 10 percent of our petition signers have completed a voter registration form in order to update their registration or to register for the first time," James said. "It is exciting to see so many people take an interest in this movement and register to vote. By data entering and cross-checking signatures against the voter file, we will pre-certify for the ballot and be well positioned to translate this early enthusiasm into votes at the ballot box."