Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley says it's time for Ohio to legalize marijuana

*Note, a previous version of this story said Cranley had not previously taken a stance on legalizing marijuana.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley says Ohio should legalize marijuana.

Cranley, a Democrat who is running for Ohio governor in 2022, tweeted Thursday: "If we legalized marijuana we could invest that tax revenue right back into our communities. We could rebuild our roads and fund public education. We could expand healthcare for our communities. It's time we legalize marijuana in Ohio."

In 2019, Cincinnati City Council voted to decriminalize marijuana. At the time, Cranley said he thought marijuana should be legal.

During a May 15, 2019 city council meeting, Cranley said, "I personally agree with those who believe marijuana should be legal and decriminalized and available." 

Cranley, whose term ends Dec. 31, did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, a Democrat who is also running for Ohio governor, has long supported the legalization of marijuana. She backed Dayton's decriminalization measure and said she would have supported legalizing it within the city if it were possible.

"This is a commonsense change that is both an important criminal justice reform issue, as well as a sensible way for Ohio to bring in more revenue for basic services that communities across our state need," Whaley said in a statement Thursday.

Recreational marijuana is legal in 18 states and Washington, D.C. Ohio legalized marijuana for medicinal use in 2016.

Cranley's and Whaley's positions put them in stark contrast to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who they might face in next year's election. DeWine, a former prosecutor and state attorney general, has said legalizing marijuana for recreational use "would be a mistake."

USA TODAY Network Ohio bureau chief Jackie Borchardt contributed reporting.