Pot legalization group faces signature deadline

“In the meantime, we will continue to gather signatures from Ohio voters who want the chance to vote in November to repeal marijuana prohibition and end the failed War on Drugs in our state”.

Secretary of State Jon Husteds office must now verify the 95,572 supplemental signatures and determine whether the proposal qualifies for the ballot.

COLUMBUS (AP) — A campaign to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational use in Ohio faces a Thursday deadline to submit additional petition signatures as it seeks to get the issue before voters this fall. “I have long stated that voter fraud is rare, but it happens; and when it does, we will call out the guilty parties and hold them accountable”.

“Fraud and sloppiness have more in common than being the devastating cause of undermining voter confidence, they are illegal and will not be tolerated by my office”, said Husted on Wednesday. ResponsibleOhio said it will take the matter to the Ohio Supreme Court and Husted responded Wednesday by appointing a special investigator to look into “discrepancies”.

James said in a statement that ResponsibleOhio followed the law and brought the discrepancies cited by Husted to his office’s attention. “In doing so, we were merely exercising our first amendment right to raise legitimate challenges and concerns”.

The organization fell short when unusually high invalidation rates resulted in only 276,082 being certified as valid by election officials.

ResponsibleOhio claimed that it had initially turned in more than 695,000 petition signatures, though Husteds office said earlier this month it had received fewer signatures and found thousands were invalid. ResponsibleOhio must have about 306,000 signatures for their issue to make it to the November ballot.

The ballot language also would allow anyone 21 or older to grow up to four marijuana plants at home, as long as they have obtained permits in advance and the growing area is secure. Its amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown, including locations in Hudson in Summit County and Alliance in Stark County, and five testing facilities to check drug supplies for potency and safety, including a site in Mahoning County.