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Ohio lawmakers cannot ignore the will of the people much longer. Gov. Mike DeWine was right recently to ask them to stop dragging their feet on implementing rules for legalized recreational marijuana, which voters approved more than three months ago.
"What we don't want to do is see a big black market expand in the state of Ohio with absolutely no control when people don't know what they're buying. So again, we need the legislature to take action ..." said DeWine.
Ohio House Bill 86 would allow recreational marijuana to be sold, and it would increase the sales tax rate for it to 15%. But it is stuck in the General Assembly.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis control board has also proposed new rules to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to apply for dual-use licenses. That way, they could sell recreational marijuana, too.
One can understand there may be some lawmakers who were opposed to the ballot measure.
It doesn't matter. Their job now is to enact what the voters of Ohio said they wanted. Ohio's Senate understood its job and passed its version of a bill back in December.
But for members of the House, it seems the concept is a little tougher. That needs to change -- and quickly. Lawmakers must respect the will of the people in this matter.