0 ratings0% found this document useful (0 votes) 10K views53 pagesRevised Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative
A resubmission of the cannabis measure.
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LEGAL COUNSEL
August 13, 2021 ar eee lonaOt
RECEIVED
‘The Honorable David Yost
Ohio Attomey General
30 E. Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
‘Constitutional Offices Section
Re: “An Act to Control and Regulate Adult Use Cannabis” Summary Petition
Dear Attomey General Yost:
Lam hereby filing with your office on behalf of petitioners, and pursuant to Section
3519.01(A) of the Revised Code, a petition to approve a revised summary of a statewide initiative
to enact a state law, titled An Act to Control and Regulate Adult Use Cannabis. The revised
summary fully addresses what your correspondence of August 5, 2021 identified as omissions or
deficiencies in the original summary.
‘The petition contains approximately 2,091 signatures on 56 part-petitions, and the
summary and full text of the proposed law. A list of the number of part-petitions and signatures is
attached to this correspondence.
Please contact me if you have any questions, Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Tee Miller LLP _
yas P. PAdlge—
Ene.
ce: Daniel Anderson, Esq
icemillercom‘COUNTY NAME
FRANKLIN
NUMBER OF PART PETITIONS TOTAL NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.
56 2081
RECEIVED
| AUG13 zeq|
‘Ohio Attorney General
Constitutional Offices SectionINITIATIVE PETITION
‘To the Attorney General of Ohio: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 3519.01(A), the undersigned
electors of the State of Ohio, numbering in excess of one thousand, hereby submit to you the full
text of a proposed law and a summary of the same.
TITLE
‘An Aet to Conta nd Regulate Adult Use Cannabis
SUMMARY
‘The Act would enact Chapter 3780 (*Chapter") of the Ohio Revised Code regarding adult use cannabis control to
authorize and regulate the eultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, home grow. and use of adult use eannabis
by auults ut least twenty-one years of age (“adult use consumers”). Adult use cannabis, cannabis and marijuana are all
defined under the Act to mean marihuana has defined in seetion 3719.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
‘Among other things, the Act would:
1. Define the following terms in the definition section of the Act: “adult use cannabis,” “adult use cannabis
“operator,” “adult use consumer,” “adult use cultivator,” “adult use dispensary,” “adult use extract,” “adult use
rocessor,” “adult use testing laboratory,” “advertising,” “applicant.” “cannabis,” “eertifieate of operation,
‘confidential information,” “cultivate,” “cultivation area,” “cultivation facility,” “dispensary.” “disqualilying
offen: “level | adult use cultivator,” “level IL adult use cultivator,” “level III adult use
cultivator, level I cultivator,” “license,” “Ticense applicant,” “license holder,” “licensee,
manufacture,”
paraphernalia,” ‘primary residence,” “processor.
“tetrahydrocannabinol.” and “THC.” Proposed Section 3780.01
‘medical provisional license,” “minor cannabinoid,” “mother plant.
“prohibited facility.” “provisional license,
Permit controtled and regulated sales and use of adult use cannabis for adult use consumers for the following
public purposes: reduce illegal marijuana sales and provide for safer and regulated cannabis product; limit
{ransportation of out-of state cannabis in the state; and provide funding and social equity opportunities in the state
as outlined below. Proposed Section 3780.02.
Establish the Division of Cannabis Control (“Division”) within the Department of Commerce, which shall have
the authority to license, regulate, investigate, and penalize adult use cannabis operators. adult use testing,
laboratories, and individuals required to be licensed, The Act further requires the Division to adopt rules on the
following twenty-two topics:
‘+ Preventing practices detrimental to the public interest and identifying ways to educate the public about the
Act:
‘+ Establishing application, licensure and renewal standards and procedures for license applicants or livense
holders related fo adult use cannabis operators, adult use testing laboratories. and individuals required to be
licensed;
+ Establishing reasonable application, licensure and renewal fees amounts to ensure license applicants and
license holders pay for the actual costs for administration and licensure for the Division:
‘© Establishing standards for provisional licenses for an individual who is required to be licensed and who has
exigent circumstance
‘= Specifying the process and reasons for which a license holder may be fined, suspended either with or without
‘prior hearing, revoked, or not renewed or issued;The process and tequirements for Division approval of any requested change in ownership or transfer of
control of an adult use eannabis operator or adult use testing laboratory:
Establishing process and standards for expanding the size of the cultivation area for a cultivation facility
Establishing standards and procedures for the testing of adult use cannabis by an adult use testing laboratory
licensed under this Chapter;
Establishing the minimum amount of insuranee or surety bond that must be maintained by an adult use
cannabis operator and adult use testing laboratory:
‘© Requiring the Division to adopt reasonable standards for any adult use cannabis samples, and adv
preseribed in section 3780.21 of the Act;
‘© Requiring that the records of an adult use cannabis operator or adult use testing laboratory be maintained in
the manner up to two years as prescribed by the Division and which shall be made available for inspection
‘upon demand by the Division:
+ Prescribing technical standards and requirements consistent with industry standards that must be met for
security and surveillance equipment necessary for the provision of security and surveillance of adult use
‘cannabis operators and adult use testing laboratories:
© Prescribing requirements for a ligense holder's provision of security services for an adult use cannabis
operator and adult use testing laboratories which shall include the license holder's option to use armed or
unarmed services including through agents ofthe license holder,
© Prescribing standards according to which license holders shall keep accounts and standards according (0
which adult use cannabis operators and adult use testing laboratories accounts shall be audited, and
cslablishing guidance for assisting the department of taxation in levying and collecting the adult use tax:
Determining penalties for violation of Division rules or of the Act, and a process for imposing such penalties:
‘stablishing training requirements for employees and agents of adult use cannabis operators and adult use
laboratories:
‘© Proseribing standards and procedures to allow for adult use cannabis delivery to adult use consumers, and
online and mobile ordering procedures, which may only be condueted by an adult use dispensary or their
agents
‘¢ Prosetibing cannabis inventory requirements to be maintained in an electronic database consistent with
section 3780,05 of the Revised Code;
Prescribing standards and procedures for product packaging and labeling of adult use eannabis products:
Preseribing standards and procedures in coordination with the department of development to administer and
cenforce the eannabis social equity and jobs program as prescribed under 3780.19 of the Revised Code:
‘+ Establishing a tetrahydrocannabinol content limit for adult use cannabis, which for plant material the content
limit shall be no less than thirty-five per eent and for extracts the content limit shall be no less than ninety
per cent, but that such content limits may be inereased or eliminated by the Division: and
«Prescribing duty (0 update requirements for license holders.
Grants the Division the authority 10 adopt other rules necessary for the administration, implementation, and
enforcement ofthe Act. The tule adopted shall be harmonized with the rules adopted under the medical marijuana
control program to avoid duplication and excess fees. Ifthere isa conflict with this Act and related rules, and the
medical marijuana control program and related rules, then this Act and related rules shall govern. Requires that
all rules adopted under the Act shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter [19 of the Revised Code. Proposed
Section 3780.03
‘Authorize the forms of adult use cannabis that may be sold under the Act, and allows any person to petition the
Division to request that an additional form or method of adult use cannabis be approved or denied within sixty
days pursuant to rales that may be adopted by the Division. Proposed Section 3780.04.
Require the Division to establish and maintain an electronic database to monitor all adult use cannabis from its
seed or clone source through its cultivation, processing, testing, and dispensing, which shall include all adult use
‘cannabis operations. The Act prohibits the Division from making public any information reported to or collectedthe Division under this section that identifies or would tend to identify a
vetion 3780.05
adult use consumer. Proposed
6. Require the Ohio Department of Taxation to provide to the Division certain tax information regarding applicants
For licensure which the Division shall maintain as confidential, Proposed Section 3780.06.
2. Provide facility requirements for adult use cannabis operators and adult use testing laboratories. Probibits adult
use cannabis operators and adult use testing laboratories Irom being within five hundred feet of a prohibited
Facility which is defined in the Act. The Act clarifies that this prohibition does not apply to: current facilities if
there is a medical marijuana business operational at that location with a certificate of operation; oF to research
entities identified in the Act or by the Division, Allows medical marijuana cultivators with a cenificate of
operation to expand their current facilities t 100,000 square feet of cultivation area for a level cultivator and
15,000 square feet of cultivation area for a level II cultivator once an adult use cultivator license is issued, and
provides a process for further cultivation area expansion if approved by the Division. Allows level [or level II
adult use to more than one facility as long. as the
relocation complies with the Act and is approved by the Division. Authorizes a level IIL adult use cultivator to
have up to 5,000 square feet in cultivation area and any additional expansion must be approved by the Division.
Proposed Section 3780.07,
cultivator to relocate all or a part of theie cultivation af
8. Require a criminal records cheek (as that term is defined in section 109.572 of the Revised Code), and prescribes
the procedure for completing such criminal records check related to an adult use cannabis operator or an adult use
testing laboratory for the following: an administrator or person responsible for the operation, owners, officers,
board members, and employees or agents required to be licensed by the Division. Proposed Section 3780.08.
9. Require that an adult use cannabis operator and an adult use testing laboratory licensed under the Act t conduet
business under their license at the same location where the adult use cannabis operator or adult use testing
laboratory, or their owners, also have been issued a medical marijuana certificate of operation. This requirement
does not apply if all or a portion of an adult use cannabis operator or adult use testing Inboratory facility is
relocated as authorized under the Act. All other applicants must conduct business ata facility consistent with the
‘Act, Proposed Section 3780.09.
10, Prohibit operating as an adult use cannabis operator or adult use testing laboratory without a license. Requites
within nine months of the effective date of the Act that thatthe following licenses be issued by the Division ifthe
application is in compliance with the Act, and if an applicant, or their same owners, have a cetificate of operation,
‘of a medical provisional license that converts to a certificate of operation within 2 years, under the medical
marijuana control program, as ofthe effective date of the Act:
A dispensary shall be issued an adult use dispensary license for the current location of the dispensary:
A level I cultivator shall be issued three adult use dispensary licenses at locations designated in a license
application, and one level I adult use cultivator license for the current location of the level 1 cultivation
facility:
‘+ A level I cultivator shall be issued one adult use dispensary license at a location designated in the license
application, and one level Il adult use cultivator license for the current location of the level II cultivation
facil
‘=A dispensary shall be issued one adult use dispensary license at a different location as designated in the
license application ifthe dispensary does not have any common ownership oF contral with any level | adult
use cultivator, level IT adult use cultivator, or adult use processor license applicant or licensee:
‘© Approcessor shall be issued under this Chapter one adult use processor license for the current location of the
processor: and
‘+ Atesting laboratory shall be issued under this Chapter one adult use testing laboratory lis
location af the testing laboratory.
ense for the currentThe Act requires the Division to issue forty level IIL adult use cultivator licenses and Fifty adult use dispensary
licenses with a preference to applicants who are participants under the cannabis social equity and jobs program.
Authorizes the Division to issue additional adult use eannabis licenses twenty-four months after the frst adult use
operator license is issued after the Division considers elements outlined in the Act, and after a report and
recommendations is sent to the Director of the Depariment of Commerce for consideration. The Act places a
‘cap on the number of adult use cannabis operator licenses any person can hold at one time which may be set by
rule, The Division may issue additional adult use testing laboratory licenses at any time. Proposed Section
3780.10.
Allow authorized applicants to file an application for licensure under the Act and requires that applicants comply
with Division rules and requirement related to the application. Requires initial applications to be available within
six months of the effective date of the Act. Requires the Division to issue a license if an applicant meets specific
Fequirements under the Act. Provide authority to the Division to set license expiration schedules and states that
a Ticense shall be renewed unless good cause is shown, Proposed Section 3780.11
Authorize a level Lor level Il cultivator licensed under the Act to: cultivate adult use cannabis; distribute, trans!
and sell adult use cannabis to other adult use cannabis operators; and acquire seeds, clones, plants, and other
genetic material. The adult use cultivators would not be permitted to cultivate any adult use cannabis for personal,
family, or household use under the license. Proposed Section 3780.12.
Authorize a level Ill adult use cultivator licensed under the Act to: cultivate adult use eannabis: distribute, transfer,
and sell adult use cannabis to other adult use cannabis operators: and acquire sceds, clones, plants, and other
igntetic material, A level IIl adult use cultivator would not be permitted to cultivate any adult use cannabis for
personal, family, or household use under the license. Proposed Section 3780.13.
Authorize an adult use processor licensed under the Act fo: obtain cannabis from adult use cannabis operators:
process adult use cannabis obtained from adult use cannabis operators into a form authorized under the Act; and
distribute, transfer, and sell processed adult use cannabis to adult use cannabis operators. Proposed Section
3780.14.
Authorize an adult use dispensary license issued under the Act to; obtain adult use cannabis from adult use
processors, adult use cultivators, level III adult use cultivators, and other adult use dispensaries; distribute,
transfer, of sell adult use cannabis to adult use cannabis operators; provide delivery of adult use cannabis and
cannabis paraphernalia to patrons us established in rules adopted under the Act: and dispense or sell adult use
cannabis subject to limitations and requirements set forth in the Act, These requirements include, only dispensing
or selling adult use cannabis to adult use consumers who present a current, valid identification card demonstrating
proof that the adult use consumer is twenty-one years of age or older, acceptable form of prepackaged and labeled
cannabis received from an adult use cannabis operator, only dispensing or selling adult use cannabis in amounts
that do not exceed the possession limits established by the Act, training for employees, and providing addiction
services information. Praposed Section 3780.15
‘Authorize an adult use testing laboratory licensed under to the Act to obtain adult use cannabis from an adult use
cannabis operator for testing purposes only and 0 conduct cannabis testing and research and operations as
required by Division rule, Proposed Section 3780.16
Authorize the division to issue a license to an individual applicant, who is at least twenty-one years of age, after
the Division has determined that the applicant is eligible for a license under rules adopted by the Division and
afier the applicant has paid any applicable fees. A license issued under this section is portable and may be used
at any adult use cannabis operator or adult use testing laboratory as long as such licensee is registered with the
Division for each location where the licensee works or is employed. Proposed Section 3780.17.
Establish the cannabis social equity and jobs program in the interest of remedying the harms resulting from the
disproportionate enforcement of marijuana-related laws and to provide financial assistance and license applicationsupport 0 individuals most direetly and adversely impacted by the enforcement of marijuana-related laws who
are interested in starting or working in cannabis business entities. Sets forth the following additional purposes of
the cannabis Social equity andl jobs program:
‘© Reducing barriers to ownership and opportunities within the adult use cannabis industry for individuals and
communities most adversely impacted by the enforcement of marijuana-related laws:
‘* Establishing an adult use eannabis industry that is equitable and aceessible 1o those most adversely impacted
by the enforcement of marijuana-related laws in this State; and
© Acknowledging that: individuals who have been arrested or incarcerated duc to drug laws suffer long-lasting
negative consequences: family members and communities of those who have been arrested or incarcerated
due to drug laws suffer from emotional, psychological, and financial harms as a result of such arrests or
incarcerations; certain communities have disproportionately suffered the harms of enforcement of marijuana
related laws and those communities face greater difficulties accessing traditional banking systems and capital
Tor establishing businesses; individuals who have resided in arcas of high povey suffer negative
‘consequences, including barriers to entry in employment, business ownership, housing, health, and long-term.
Financial well-being; and promotion of business ownership and employment by individuals who have resided
in areas of high poverty and high enforcement of marijuana-related laws furthers an equitable cannabis
industry
‘The Otio Department of Development is required to: establish the program which includes certifying program
applicants based on social and economic disadvantage: develop a process for evaluating and adjusting program
goals; educate potential participants about the program: implement a compliance system for the program: provide
Financial and technical assistance to persons certified under the program; encourage employment practices for
adult use cannabis operators to hire and educate specified groups; study and fund judicial and criminal justice
reform: study and propose policy reform related to impacts of enforcement of marijuana laws and to track and
prevent underage usaye of marijuana; fund specified investment in impacted communities related to the program:
and use funding for the program only for the purposes of the program. Provide program applicants protection
from the Department of Development releasing certain application information as public records. Requires that
any license preference under the Act and as a result of the program be based on substantiated evidence that the
preference is needed to address the goals of the program. Create an advisory board for the program to provide
recommendations on the program to the Department of Development. Propased Sections 3780.8 and 3780.19.
19, Require that adult use cannabis operators and adult use testing laboratories adopt operating procedures and
comply with operation requirements required by Division rules adopted under the Act, Prohibits adult use
‘operators from selling or dispensing adult use cannabis without payment unless otherwise authorized under the
Act. Proposed Section 3780.20.
20. Authorize the Division to adopt rules on regulating advertising of license holders to prevent prohibited
advertisements, and to set standards and Division audit authority related to the advertising. Proposed Section
3780.21
21, Establish that (forthe purpose of supporting social equity issues, providing funds 10 support jobs and economic
development, providing funding for host communities who have adult use dispensaries in their jurisdiction to
support these communities, funding education and treatment for individuals with cannabis and other addietion
issues, and deftaying the costs of regulation and administering the tax) there shall be an adult use tax on the sale
of adult use cannabis by adult use dispensaries to adult use consumers in accordance with the Act in the amount
fof ten percent which is in addition to sales tax authorized under Chapter 5739 of the Revised Code, The tax
commissioner i authorized to adopt rules to administer the tax. Proposed Section 3780.22.
22. Create (for the purpose of receiving and distributing, and accounting for, revenue received from the adult use
sales tax) the following funds in the state treasury: (I) the adult use tax fund; (2) the cannabis social equity and
_jobs Fund; (3) the host community cannabis fund: (4) the substance abuse and addietion fund: and (5) the division
‘of cannabis control and tax commissioner fund. All monies collected from the tax levied under the Aet are requiredal
—
to be deposited into the adult use tax fund which shall be quarterly distributed as follows: thirty-six per cent 10
the cannabis social equity and jobs fund: thirty-six per cent to the host community cannabis facilities fund: twenty-
five per cent to the substance abuse and addiction funds and three per cent to the division of cannabis control and
tax commissioner fund. The director of the Office of Budget and Management shall transfer amounts of the funds
as required in the Act. Proposed Section 3780.23,
Provide authority to the tax commissioner on the collection, aelministration, and enforcement of the adult use tax
and gives the tax commissioner authority to prescribe forms and rules to carry out the adult use tax and the funds
created to receive the adult use tax. Proposed Section 3780.24.
Permit the legislative authority of a municipal corporation to adopt an ordinance, or a board of township trustees
to adopt a resolution, by majority vote, to prohibit, or limit the number of adult use cannabis operators permitted
under the Act within the munieipal corporation or within the unincorporated territory of the township,
respectively. However, the Act provides that a municipal corporation or township may not prohibit or limit
existing operational medical marijuana cultivators, processors, or dispensaries: or an adult use cultivator or an
adult use processor, or an adult use dispensary who is co-located with adult use cultivator and an adult use
processor, who have, or whose owner have, a medical marijuana eentfieate of operation at the same location as
of the effective date of the Act. Medical marijuana dispensaries, or their owners, are authorized to operate an
adult use dispensary in a municipal corporation or township once licensed by the Division. However, a municipal
corporation or township may vote to prohibit the operation of an adult use dispensary within one-hundred and
twenty days of the adult use dispensary license being issued. If a municipal corporation or township votes to
prohibit an adult use dispensary, the adult use dispensary must stop operation within sixty days, unless the adult
use dispensary files with the board of elections a valid petition on whether the adult use dispensary should remain
open and whether the municipal corporation or township should receive funding related to the adult use
dispensary. If the potition is valid, the issue is required to be placed on the next general election ballot as
prescribed under the Act but no sooner than ninety days from when the petition is filed with the board of election,
tthe issue is passed, then the adult use dispensary may remain open. If the issue is not passed, then: the medical
‘marijuana dispensary at that location may continue to operate, or may relocate and such relocation request shall
be approved ifit is filed within ninety days and complies with applicable law; and the adult use dispensary must
close within ninety days unless the adult use dispensary applies to relocate within ninety days and then the adult
use dispensary shall remain open until the Division approves the relocation. The Act prohibits a municipal
corporation and township from: limiting specific research; levying a tax, fee, oF charge on adult use operations,
their owner, or their property not generally charged on other businesses; prohibiting or limiting cannabis home
use authorized under the Act; or prohibiting or restricting an activity authorized by the Act. Proposed Section
3780.25,
25. Authorize the Division to enforce, or cause to be enforced, al sections ofthe Act and the rules adopted thereunder,
and authorize the Division to take action against any licensee or applicant for licensure, including, but not limited
to, refusing to issue a livense, suspending a license, inspecting the premises of a license holder without prior
notice. oF imposing on a provisional license holder or license holder a civil penalty. If the Division suspends,
revokes, or refuses fo renew any license or determines that there is clear and convincing evidence of a danger of
immediate and serious harm to any individual, the Division may place under seal all adult use cannabis owned by
‘orn the possession, custody, or contro! ofthe affected license holder. Except as provided in the Act, the Division
shall not dispose ofthe adult use cannabis sealed under section 3780.26 of the Act until the license holder exhausts
all of the license holder's appeal rights under Chapter 119 of the Revised Code, The court involved in such an
appeal may order the Division, during the pendeney of the appeal, to sell perishable cannabis sealed under this
section of he Act and deposit the proceeds of any such sale with the court.
‘The Act establishes additional procedures and requirements the Division must follow in exereising its authority,
and any such enforcement action must be taken in accordance with Chapter [19 ofthe Revised Code. The Division
is not required to enforce minor violations of the Aet ifthe Division determines that the public interest is served
by a notice or warning to an alleged offender. Proposed Section 3780.26,26, Authorize the Attorney General to bring a civil eause of action, if reque
30.
3
ted by the Division, to restrain a violation
of the Act and require the applicable court to give any such action priority over all other civil
‘court, Proposed Section 3780.27,
wses before the
Authorize any citizen of the state of Ohio to commence an action to compel the Division to perform actions
‘mandated under the Act if the Division fils to adopt rules necessary to initially implement the Act within nine
months of the effective date of the Act oF fails to begin accepting license applications within six months of the
effective date of the Act. Establish that, if the Division fails to issue an adult use cannabis operator license, oF
send a notice of denial to an applicant, within three months afer receiving a complete adult use cannabis operator
application pursuant to the Act, the applicant may: commence an action to compel the Division to perform actions
mandated under the Act; and unless the Division can demonstrate in writing that operating presents a danger of
immediate and serious harm to others, the applicant may operate under a temporary license if the applicant has a
‘medical marijuana certificate of operation at the location, and complies with the Act and any rules adopted by the
Division under the Act. Proposed Section 3780.28.
Authorize adult use consumers, subject to enumerated limitations, to: (1) cultivate, grow, and possess not more
than six cannabis plants at the individual's primary residence, with a total limitation of not more than twelve
cannabis plants per residence where two or more adult use consumers reside at one times (2) process by manual
‘or mechanical means adull use cannabis cultivated or grown in accordance with section 3780.29 of the Act: (3)
transfer up to six cannabis plants to an adult use consumer as long as the transfer is without remuneration and not
advertised of promoted to the public; and/or (4) store adult use cannabis that was putchased from an adult use
dispensary licensed under the Act or produced in compliance with section 3780.29 of the Act. The Act would
also permit a landlord to prohibit home grow activities otherwise authorized under the Act so long as such
prohibition i included in the applicable lease agreement, The Act sets forth Division rule making authority 10
adopt a schedule of civil penalties for violations of this Section and a reference to section 3780.99 of the Act for
other listed violations in this seetion. Proposed Section 3780.29.
Require the Division to enter into an agreement with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
under which the Department shall provide a program for cannabis addiction services to be implemented on bebial!
of the Division which includes best practices for education and treatment for individuals with addiction issues
‘elated to cannabis or other controlled substances including opioids. The Department would also be required to
establish, operite, and publicize an in-state, toll-free telephone number Ohio residents may call to obtain basie
information about addiction services available to consumer, and options for an addicted consumer to obtain help.
Require the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to administer the cannabis addition fund, to use
the money in the fund to support addiction services or other services that relate to addiction and substance abuse,
and research that relates to addiction and substance abuse, and to prepare an annual report describing the use of
the fund for these purposes which shall be submitted to the Director of Commerce and several enumerated elected
officials, The Act would require license holders to provide information to patrons regarding addiction issues and
available services and resourees and training 10 their employees on the same services and resourees. Proposed
Section 3780.30,
Define certain information collected by the Division as confidential and restrict the Division from disclosing such
information unless certain criteria are satisfied. Proposed Section 3780.31
Establish the proper venue foractions challenging the Act will be the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County.
‘Ohio with limited exceptions, and require that any action asserting that any portion of the Act or any rule adopted
thereunder violates any provision of the Ohio Constitution or federal law shall be brought within ninety days afer
the effective date of the enactment of the Act or within ninety days after the effective date oF any rule adopted
pursuant to the Act, as applicable. Proposed Section 3780.32.
Protect individuals who hold a license, as defined in section 4776.01 of the Revised Code, or other license,
certification, or rogistration issued by any professional board in the state of Ohio, or pursuant to 2923,125 of the
Revised Code (coneealed handgun license), from disciplinary action solely for engaging in professional or34,
‘occupational activities related to adult use cannabis in accordance with the Act, or for engaging in other
‘enumerated activities in compliance with the Act, The Act would ereate additional protections for individuals
who engage in conduct permitted under the Act, including protections relating to: adjudicatory hearings 10
determine shelter care placement, parental rights and responsibilities, and parenting time orders, unless there is
clear and convineing evidence that a child is unsafe; eligibility for any public benefit program administered by
the state or any locality; and right to medical care and/or inelusion on a transplant waiting list. Establish that the
use, possession, administration, cultivation, processing, testing, dispensing, transporting, sale, delivery, or
‘wansferring of adult use cannabis in accordance with the Act shall not be used as the sole or primary reason for
taking action under any eriminal or civil statute, Establish that an individual's status as an adult use consumer
shall not be used as the sole or primary basis for rejecting the individual asa tenant unless the rejection is required
by federal law, but landlord may prohibit the consumption of cannabis by combustion so long as such prohibition
is included in the applicable lease agreement. Establish as the public policy of the State of Ohio that contracts
related to adult use cannabis operators and adult use cannabis testing laboratories are enforceable, Establish that
when an adull use consumer who engages in activities related to adult use cannabis in compliance with this
Chapter, such activities alone do not constitute sufficient basis for conducting a field sobriety test on the individual
‘or for suspending the individual's driver's license. The Act further requires that, to conduct any field sobriety test,
« law enforcement officer must have an independent, factual basis giving reasonable suspicion that the individual
is operating a vehicle under the influence of adult use cannabis or with a prohibited concentration of marijuana
in the person's whole blood, blood serum, plasma, breath, or urine. Proposed Section 3780.33.
Define the terms “financial institution and “financial services.” and limit criminal liability for financial
institutions that provide financial services to any adult use cannabis operator or testing laboratory licensed under
the Act if the adult use cannabis operator or testing laboratory licensed operates in compliance with the Act and
the applicable tax laws ofthe State of Ohio. Provide that, novwithstanding any contrary section of the Ohio public
records law, that upon the request of a financial institution providing services to an adult use cannabis operator
or adult use testing laboratory, the Division shall provide to the financial institution the following six categories
of information:
© Whether an individual or entity with whom the financial institution is seeking 10 do business is an adult use
cannabis operator or adult use testing laboratory licensed under the Act;
‘The name of any other business or individual affiliated with the individual or entity
An unredacted copy of the adult use cannabis license application and any supporting documentation that was
submitted by the individual or entity
© applicable, information relating to sales and volume of product sold by the individual or emtity, exept
where prohibited by the Act,
Whether the individual or entity follows the Act; and
Any past or pending violation by the individual or entity of this Chapter, and any penalty imposed on the
individual or entity for such a violation, Proposed Section 3780.34,
Protect an employer's authority to establish hiring and employment policies and practives related to the Aet.
ally, nothing in the Act dacs any of the following related to an employer:
‘= Requires an employer to permit or accommodate an employ
cannabis;
‘© Prohibits an employer fiom refusing to hire, discharging, disciplining, or otherwise taking an adverse
smployment action against an individual with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of
employment because of that individual's use, possession, or distribution of eannabis
+ Prohibits an employer from establishing and enforcing a drug testing policy. drug-free workplace policy. or
zero-tolerance drug policy:
© Interferes with any federal restrictions on employment, including the regulations adopted by the United States
Department of Transportation in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended;
© Permits an individual to commence a cause of action against an employer for refusing to hi
disciplining, discriminating, retaliating, or otherwise taking an adverse employment action
's use, possession, or distribution of adult useindividual with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment related to the
individual’s use of cannabis; or
* Affects the authority of the administrator of workers” compensation to grant rebates or discounts on premium
tates to employers that participate ina drug-free workplace program.
An individual who is discharged from employment because ofthe individual's use of cannabis shall be considered
to have been discharged for just eause for purposes of unemployment benefits eligibility ifthe individual's use of
cannabis was in violation of an emplayer drug or related cannabis policy. Proposed Section 3780.35.
35. Authorize that adult use consumers may do the following: (1) use adult use cannabis: (2) possess, transfer without
remuneration fo another adult consumer, oF transport adull use cannabis, subject to specified limitations; and (3)
Purchase adult use cannabis from an adult use dispensary per day an amount of adult use cannabis that doce sot
exceed ihe possession limits established under the Act, Limit the amount of adult use cannabis that may be
Possessed by an adult use consumer to two and a half ounces of adult use cannabis in any form except aul use
extract and fifteen grams of adult use cannabis in the form of adult use extract, Limit the amount of adult use
cannabis that may be transfered by an adult use consumer without remuneration and not advertised or promoted
to the public o two and one-half ounces of adult use cannabis in any form except adult use extract and fifteen
srams of adult use cannabis inthe form of adult use extract. Limit the amount of adult use eannabis tht may be
transported by an adult use consumer to tWo and one-half ounces of adult use cannabis in any form except adult
use extract and fifteen grams of adult use cannabis in the form of adult use extract. Prohibit any individhal from,
among other activities: (1) operating a vehicle, motor vehicle, streetcar, trackless trlley, bike, watereralt or
Sireraft while using adult use cannabis or while under the influence oadult use eannabis; (2) smoking. vaporizing,
oF using any other combustible adult use cannabis product while ina vehicle, motor vehicle, stretear, nackless
trolley, bike, watercraft or aircrafts (3) transferring or selling adult use cannabis, with or without remuneration,
{0 an individual under twenty-one years of age; or (4 allowing an individual under twenty-one years of age to
purchase, possess, use, process transport, or cultivate cannabis except where authorized hy Chapter 3796 ol the
Revised Code. Proposed Section 3780.36
36. Establish that if any provision of this Act of its application is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other
Provisions or applications ofthis Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to
this end the provisions of this Chapter are severable. Propased Section 3730.90.
37. Batablish penalties for violations ofthe Act by adult use consumers, individuals under twenty-one years of age,
and others who violate the Act, Proposed Section 3780.99,
CERTIFICATION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
‘The certification of the Atomey General, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 3519.01(A), will be inserted when itis
provided. This initial petition must be submitted with at least one thousand (1,000) valid signatures of Ohio electors
before the Attorney General will issue that certification
COMMITTEE TO REPRESENT THE PETITIONERS
The following persons are designated as a committee to represent the petitioners in all matters
relating to the petition or its circulation:
Thomas Haren 11747 Ivy Ridge Drive, North Royalton, Ohio 44133
Brandon Lynaugh 1299 Avondale Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
Kevin Murphy 4155 Hadleigh Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44118FULL TEXT OF LAW
Be it Enacted by the People of the State of Ohio that the following chapter and sections are
added to Title XXXVI of the Revised Code:
Chapter 3780: Adult Use Cannabis Control
Section 3780.01. Definitions.
(A) As used in this chapter:
(1) “Adult use cannabis” or “cannabis” or “marijuana” means marihuana as defined in section
3719.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) “Adult use cannabis operator” means a level [ adult use cultivator, a level I adult use
cultivator, a level III adult use cultivator, an adult use processor, and an adult use dispensary.
(3) “Adult use consumer” means and individual who is at least twenty-one years of age.
(4) “Adult use cultivator” means a level | adult use cultivator or a level Il adult use cultivator
(5) “Adult use dispensary” means a person licensed pursuant section 3780.15 of the Revised
Code, this chapter and any rules promulgated thereunder to sell adult use cannabis as authorized.
(6) “Adult use extract” or “extract” means a substance obtained by separating or concentrating
cannabinoids and other compounds from any part of the adult use cannabis plant by physical or
chemical means, intended to be refined for use as an ingredient in an adult use cannabis product
oras a standalone adult use cannabis product.
(7) “Adult use processor” means a person licensed pursuant section 3780. 14 of the Revised
Code, this chapter and any rules promulgated thereunder to manufacture adult use cannabis as
authorized.
(8) “Adult use testing laboratory” means an independent laboratory located that has been issued a
license by the division of cannabis control to have custody and use of adult use cannabis for
scientific purposes and for purposes of instruction, research, or analysis.
(9) “Advertising” means any written or verbal statement, illustration, or depiction created to
induce sales through the use of or a combination of letters, pictures, objects, lighting effects,
illustrations, videos, sounds, or other similar means. “Advertisement” includes brochures,
promotional and other marketing materials consistent with section 3780.21 of the Revised Code.
(10) “Applicant” means an individual or person who files an application for a license pursuant to
this chapter.”(11) *Certiticate of operation” means a certification of operation or license issued by either the
ii Dariment of commerce or the state board of pharmacy to a person pursuant to Chapter 3796 of
the Revised Code and Chapter 3796 of the Administrative Code.
(12) “Confidential information” means information that is not a publie record for Purposes of
section 149.43 of the Revised Code.
Sr cuitivate” means to grow, harvest, package, and transports adult use cannabis pursuant to
this chapter.
(14) “Cultivation area” means the boundaries ofthe enclosed areas in which adult use cannabis i
cultivated during the vegetative stage and flowering stage of the cultivation process, For
Purposes oF calculating the cultivation area square footage, enclosed areas used solely for the
storage and maintenance of mother plants, clones, or seedlings shall not be included.
(15) “Cultivation facility” means a facility where an adult use cultivator or a level LIT adult use
cultivator is authorized to operate,
(16) “Dispensary” means a person who has a certificate of operation to operate a dispensary
under Chapter 3796 of the Revised Code and Chapter 3796 of the Administrative Cede
(17) “Disqualifying offense” means:
(2) A conviction or plea of guilty, including conspiracy to commit, atempt to commit, or aiding
and abetting another in committing, the following:
() Any offense set forth in Chapters 2925, 3719, oF 4729 of the Revised Code, the violation of
which constitutes a felony or a misdemeanor of the first degree:
(i) Any theft offense set forth under division (K) in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, the
violation of which constitutes a felony:
ii) Any violation for which a penalty was imposed under section 3715.99 of the Revised Code;
Gv) A crime of moral turpitude as defined in section 4776.10 of the Revised Code: or
() A violation of any former law of this state, any existing or former law of another state, any
existing or former law applicable in a military court or Indian tribal court, or any existing or
former law of any nation other than the United States that is or was substantially equivalent to
any of the offenses listed in paragraphs (a)(iv) to (a)(iv) of this definition,
(6) Any first degree misclemeanor offense listed in paragraphs (ai) to (a)(v) of this definition
will not automatically disqualify an applicant from licensure ifthe applicant was convicted of or
pleaded guilty to the offense more than five years before the date the application for licensure is
filed.