COLUMBUS, Ohio — The state lawmaker leading the charge against Issue 3 said Wednesday the legislature will act on the issue of medical marijuana if the marijuana legalization measure fails on Election Day.

Rep. Mike Curtin, a Columbus-area Democrat, made his comments after debating Ian James and Chris Stock of ResponsibleOhio, the political action committee backing Issue 3, during a Columbus Metropolitan Club event.

Several times during the debate, James argued Ohioans should approve Issue 3 because state lawmakers have failed to legalize marijuana for the past 18 years and have shown no signs of wanting to legalize it.

In an interview after the debate, Curtin said he has been discussing legalizing medical marijuana with colleagues on both sides of the aisle for months. Curtin said lawmakers didn’t want to simply pass a resolution or other legislation ahead of Tuesday’s vote. [Read more at the Cleveland Plain Dealer]