In Ohio, three new cities decriminalize cannabis

In Ohio, the process of decriminalizing cannabis goes through the municipalities. Since 2015, 15 of them have decriminalized cannabis possession, among them Toledo and Dayton, the state's fourth- and sixth-most populous cities. On Tuesday, three new municipalities have joined the reform movement.

A mixed result

In all, the population of six Ohio municipalities voted on the decriminalizing cannabis during last Tuesday's municipal elections. The verdict was split, with three approving (Bremen, Nelsonville and Northwood) and three rejecting (Adena, Amherst, Wren). What's more, Bremen, Nelsonville and Northwood are all towns with populations of less than 6,000.

During the same elections, in neighboring Michigan, which legalized recreational cannabis a year ago, The people of 7 towns voted to ban cannabis businesses in their municipalities. The law leaves it up to municipalities to decide whether or not to welcome the cannabis industry on their territory. Illinois and Colorado, same topo, some municipalities have decided to ban cannabis shops.

Decriminalization in Ohio

The decriminalization measures adopted by Bremen, Nelsonville and Northwood call for replacing the penalties currently in force for possession of cannabis between 100 and 200 grams (a fine of 250$ and up to 30 days' imprisonment) with the lowest penalty that exists in Ohio's criminal justice system. The last penal level provides for a maximum fine of 150$ without imprisonment.

Ohio state law already stipulates that possession of less than 100 grams of cannabis is considered a minor offense. That said, the measures passed by city voters set higher possession limits (generally 200 grams) and a fine of 0$. In practice, possession of small quantities of cannabis is no longer punishable, and prison sentences have been abolished.

By way of comparison, the city councils of Columbus, the capital, and Cincinnati, the third most populous city, have passed measures that maintain penal scale in force. In Columbus, for example, The council simply divided the fines by 10, but between 100 and 200 grams, consumers still face prison sentences. Ditto in Cincinnati, although the fine for quantities under 100 grams has been abolished.

Ohio legalizes medical cannabis in 2016. A year earlier, a first attempt to legalize recreational cannabis had failed. for very specific reasons. This year, the latest initiative was not included in the voting agenda..