Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment to allow medical marijuana in Ohio say they are hoping to get the issue on the statewide ballot this fall. Mark Ramach, the campaigns general counsel, says it’s important to get it on the ballot soon because too many Ohioans are in pain and need it. Ramach says if it passes, the state stands to make a lot of money from the legitimate sale of medical marijuana.
"Our estimation is that, within 5 years, if there are a quarter of a million patients, we are looking at potentially, and this is a very conservative estimate, at least an 860 million dollar a year industry in this state."
Ramach explains that number includes taxes generated by the sale of the marijuana plus the distributors and other businesses that are created to facilitate the industry.