Group submits petitions to reduce Newark marijuana penalties

NEWARK — A group hoping to eliminate penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in Newark is one step closer to getting its proposal on the November ballot. The East Ohio Decriminalization Initiative, the group behind the proposal, turned in 2,044 signatures to the Newark Clerk of Council Wednesday supporting the measure. The proposal would remove penalties for possessing less than 200 grams of marijuana in the city. Under the initiative, possessing less than 200 grams would const