Ohioans could grow marijuana at home under new plan

Adults ages 21 and older could obtain a license to grow marijuana at home;

Households would be limited to four plants;

Marijuana purchased at licensed retailers would be taxed at 5 percent, down from 15 percent as originally proposed;

ResponsibleOhio, which is backed by deep-pocketed investors and an experienced political consulting team, wants to ask voters in November to change the state constitution to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes. The group has identified 10 locations for indoor growing facilities, including in Middletown and Moraine.

Since the group is re-drafting the ballot proposal, the sites could change. The city of Moraine, which owns one of the parcels that pot investors hold an option to purchase, is opposed to having a marijuana factory and city officials have already noted that the site is within 1,000-feet of a church. The initial ballot proposal says marijuana facilties cannot be within 1,000-feet of churches, day care centers or playgrounds.

The new home grow provisions are modeled after Oregon, ResponsibleOhio said.

“ResponsibleOhio’s plan will allow those over 21 to grow their own marijuana for personal use, but forbid their sale of marijuana to the public,” said ResponsibleOhio spokeswoman Lydia Bolander in a written statement. “We believe that like alcohol, marijuana can be used safely and should be tightly regulated. Adults over 21 years of age are legally permitted to brew their own beer, but they aren’t permitted to sell it. Our amendment will allow limited and tightly regulated home grow of marijuana, but like home brewing, individuals will not be allowed to sell to the public.”