Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley is officially kicking off his campaign to be Ohio's next governor, with one of the first stops on his campaign trail, in Youngstown.

Cranley tells 21 News he has big plans to make a comeback for the state, promising 30 thousand jobs that will pay 60 thousand dollars, natural gas dividend and the legalization of marijuana.


"I'm creating the first ever dividend for the people of Ohio. 500 dollars per family per year, from natural gas energy profits," said Mayor Cranley. "There's a dividend like that in Alaska, in North Dakota and there should be one here in Ohio and that will help stand up the middle class with more spending power from our own resources," he said.


Cranley's plan for legalizing marijuana is based on Michigan's experience. He says Ohio should generate at least 350 million new tax dollars per year, and as high as 500 million.


"A lot of people's job prospects are hurt because of a mere possession of marijuana. I don't think that's right and I also think there are jobs and taxes that we could be getting," Cranley said. "Michigan has legalized recreational marijuana but they're getting the jobs and the taxes. We can get the jobs and the taxes and put that money to build the infrastructure that the business community needs, that we all need to thrive," he said.


Local leaders have expressed their support for Cranley, saying the issues he plans to combat will resonate with people in the Valley.


"We've lost so much through manufacturing and the steel industry, to have a governor who really wants to increase the middle class, who wants to invest in clean energy, who wants to invest in broadband for everybody across this state," said Jaladah Aslam, Cranley's senior advisor. "It's just so important and I think that, that he's the person that can do it," she said.