Ohio lawmakers on Thursday morning despatched the governor a large-scale felony justice reform invoice that accommodates provisions to guard folks from having felony information for arrests or convictions over easy possession of marijuana paraphernalia. It additionally contains measures clearing a path for folks to have convictions for hashish possession and different offenses sealed and expunged.
Below the excellent measure from Sen. Nathan Manning (R), misdemeanor hashish paraphernalia possession circumstances would “not represent a felony file,” nor would they should be disclosed “in response to any inquiries concerning the particular person’s felony file.”
The invoice, which now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine (R), covers a variety of points, together with sentencing reform for folks in jail and felony information expungements.
The laws would keep that hashish possession is taken into account a minor misdemeanor offense—however it could present a pathway for sealing the file from public view after six months and expunging the conviction altogether after three years, in line with the sponsor.
The Ohio Home right this moment handed Senate Invoice 288 by a vote of 79-7. pic.twitter.com/2HQIpLaDPk
— Ohio Home GOP (@OHRGOPCaucus) December 15, 2022
There can be a charge of usually no more than $50 to acquire the file reduction, nevertheless it might be waived if the applicant can present they’re indigent.
“This invoice will enhance public security for all Ohioans, whereas guaranteeing that individuals in jail have the instruments they should succeed and provides again to their communities after they return residence,” Manning stated in a press release after the Senate initially handed the laws final month.
The bill underwent some adjustments within the Home this week that have been unrelated to its hashish provisions. It was then accepted in its amended kind by the Senate.
SB 288 (Revise the Felony Regulation) … that is actually 21 completely different payments (Christmas Invoice 🎄) …. IM A YES ( 79-7) pic.twitter.com/lqffKqBwpV
— Juanita Brent (@Juanita_Brent) December 15, 2022
In fact, advocates wish to see Ohio take a lot bolder steps towards ending hashish criminalization. However after an activist-led poll marketing campaign and legislative makes an attempt to legalize marijuana stalled out this yr, the Senate vote represents a welcome improvement.
The marketing campaign Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA) sought to place legalization on the poll this yr, nevertheless it confronted issues that in the end pushed the reform proposal again to 2023 at earliest.
Within the legislature, a pair of Ohio Democratic lawmakers individually filed a invoice to legalize marijuana in April that instantly mirrors the proposed initiative that activists had pursued, nevertheless it didn’t advance in time.
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A GOP legislator who sponsored a completely different invoice to tax and regulate hashish has tempered expectations this yr concerning the probabilities for legislative reform, signaling that the problem will probably should be determined by voters.
The Home Finance Committee held a listening to on the Democratic and Republican legalization payments final week, however no votes have been held.
Ohioans have made clear that they’re prepared for a coverage change throughout elections in a number of latest cycles, together with this newest one the place voters in 5 extra cities accepted native marijuana decriminalization poll initiatives.
A latest ballot discovered {that a} majority of Ohio voters would help marijuana legalization on the poll statewide.
As of September, Ohio medical marijuana gross sales formally surpassed the $1 billion mark since dispensaries began serving sufferers in April 2019, state information exhibits.