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Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley is pushing Ohio lawmakers to legalize marijuana.
Cranley, who announced earlier in the year that he is running for governor, tweeted Thursday afternoon “It’s time we legalize marijuana in Ohio.”
“If we legalized marijuana we could invest that tax revenue right back into our communities,” the mayor said. “We could rebuild our roads and fund public education. We could expand health care for our communities.”
The mayor’s statement comes as Democratic lawmakers in the state are pushing a bill to legalize recreational marijuana cultivation and sales.
Legalizing marijuana is also being pushed at the federal level.
ABOVE VIDEO: Schumer drafts bill to federally legalize marijuana
The Senate’s top Democrat is backing a bill that would strike down a longstanding federal prohibition on marijuana, embracing a proposal that has a slim chance of becoming law yet demonstrates growing public support for decriminalizing the drug.
Proposals to legalize marijuana are nothing new. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is a sponsor of the effort unveiled Wednesday, underscoring how a once-fringe idea is increasingly mainstream. The measure would erode a central pillar of the decades-long war on drugs, which has disproportionately affected communities of color in the United States.
The bill would treat marijuana much like alcohol or tobacco, allowing it to be taxed and regulated. States could still outlaw its use. And those under the age of 21 couldn’t purchase it. It would remain illegal to sell significant quantities without proper licensing and authorization, much like bootlegging alcohol. It would also clear the path for additional cannabis medical research.
READ THE FULL STORY:Cincinnati mayor calls on Ohio statehouse to legalize marijuana
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