Ohio lawmakers on Friday formally introduced a bill to legalize marijuana possession, production and sales—the first effort of its kind in the state legislature.
This comes as activists are pursuing a separate ballot initiative that would effectively force the legislature to consider similar cannabis reforms.
Reps. Casey Weinstein (D) and Terrence Upchurch (D) filed the legislation, weeks after circulating a co-sponsorship memo to colleagues to build support for the measure.
The 180-page bill would legalize possession of up to five ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older and allow them to cultivate up to 12 plants for personal use.
It also includes provisions to expunge prior convictions for possession and cultivation activities that are being made legal under the measure.