A state representative plans to introduce legislation aimed at legalizing marijuana in Ohio.
Rep. Bob Hagan (D-Youngstown) says he’ll propose two bills to end the state’s pot prohibition. One bill would legalize marijuana in the state for medicinal purposes, while the other would give Ohio voters the chance to decide if pot should be legal for recreational use as well.
Hagan believes public sentiment is strongly behind medicinal marijuana, saying 70-percent of Ohioans support its legalization, and says recreational use should also be allowed because the drug war is proving to be a losing battle.
The representative said taxes derived from marijuana sales could help fund law enforcement and rehabilitation programs for more serious drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine.
Hagan says the public’s fear of marijuana has dropped sharply, as has the belief that it is a gateway drug.
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medical purposes. Two states, Colorado and Washington, allow recreational use of pot.
Ohio State Representative to Introduce Pot Legalization
Article by Lu Ann Stoia for Fox 28 Colombus
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