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Ohio Billionaire Bankrolling Massachusetts Marijuana Question

A ballot question supporting the medicinal use of marijuana in Massachusetts is being bankrolled almost entirely by an Ohio billionaire who has backed similar efforts in other states.

According to state campaign finance reports, Progressive Corp. Chairman Peter Lewis contributed $525,000 to the Committee for Compassionate Medicine, which is supporting the question.

That accounted for virtually all the $526,200 raised by the group. The bulk of the money went to pay professional signature gatherers to guarantee the question a spot on the November ballot.

Lewis has supported pro-marijuana efforts in Ohio and Washington.

The Massachusetts proposal would allow patients with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to get permission from their doctors to use marijuana.

The plan also calls for the state to register up to 35 nonprofit treatment centers.