Every employer in Ohio and surrounding states must now begin to develop workplace controls to fully address the legalization of marijuana in Ohio. To be most effective and legally defensible, these controls should be more expansive than simple revisions to current drug-free workplace and testing policies. Key to these efforts is understanding that marijuana, medical […]
Ohio legalization
Will Ohio Lawmakers Also Try to Pass a Medical Marijuana Measure?
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 […]
Ohio NAACP Comes Out Against Ballot Measure to Legalize Marijuana
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The group representing NAACP branches in Ohio is urging voters to oppose a proposal on next week’s ballot to legalize marijuana for medical and personal use. The Ohio Conference NAACP president said Tuesday that legalization would represent “tacit approval” of a drug with potentially far-reaching negative effects on families and children. The […]
Weed War: Rolling Stone Chronicles Ohio’s Battle For Legal Marijuana
On November 3rd, voters in Ohio will decide the fate of legal weed — making the Buckeye State an unlikely ground zero in the national divide of the legalization movement. The fight pits the movement’s ponytailed old guard against its rising carpetbaggers, a cadre of Rolex-wearing, politically connected businessmen intent on controlling the growth, sale […]
Voters Opposed to Responsible Ohio’s Cannabis Initiative Will Vote For Issue 2
Plenty of voters who oppose Responsible Ohio’s plan to legalize marijuana say they will vote yes on Issue 2, an anti-monopoly amendment written by state lawmakers. But some legal experts are worried about what Issue 2 would mean years down the road. It turns out supporters of Issue 2 have wildly different views when it […]
New Poll Shows Ohio Voters Evenly Split on Marijuana Legalization
Ohio voters are split on the effort to legalize marijuana this November, according to a new poll. Overall, Ohio registered voters are split evenly — 46 percent to 46 percent — on Issue 3 while 8 percent are undecided, the poll from the University of Akron Bliss Institute found. Thirty-nine percent named it the most […]
Ohio Turning Into a Key Battleground State For Legal Marijuana
Four states already allow recreational pot, but approved medical marijuana first. Now, Ohio could make history by legalizing both at the same time, and the pro-marijuana camp is ramping up as the days until the vote are counting down. A new poll finds most Ohioans support legalization, but the campaign is stirring up controversy, reports […]
New Poll Finds That 58% of Ohio Residents Favor Legal Marijuana
A new Kent State University poll shows that 58 percent of registered voters in Ohio would support allowing adults to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use. The poll was commissioned by WKYC-TV (Channel 3). Ohio voters will decide in November whether to legalize marijuana use for recreational and medicinal use. Kent State surveyed […]
$24 Million Medical Research Center Hinges on Ohio Legalizing Marijuana
A nonprofit foundation linked to an Ohio State University microbiologist plans to build a $24 million medical marijuana research center near Columbus if voters approve legalizing pot on Nov. 3. Michael Ibba, chairman of the OSU Microbiology Department and co-director of the Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry Training Program, is on the board of the newly […]
State of Ohio Sues City of Toledo Over New Marijuana Ordinance
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is suing the city of Toledo over a new voter-approved city ordinance that reduces penalties for marijuana possession and other drug crimes. DeWine asked the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas to invalidate several portions of Toledo’s “Sensible Marihuana Ordinance” approved by voters last month because they […]
Contractors Group Opposes Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Initiative
The board of a trade group that includes some of the largest commercial contractors in Greater Cincinnati announced today it opposes ResponsibleOhio’s effort to legalize marijuana. The directors of the Associated General Contractors of Ohio cited concerns about workplace safety if the Nov. 3 ballot measure known as Issue 3 is approved by voters. More than […]
Ohio Legalization Would Generate $300 Million in Tax Revenue, Budget Office Says
The state budget office estimates legalized marijuana sales in Ohio could produced nearly $300 million in new tax revenue, most of which would go to townships, cities and counties. The estimate by the Office of Budget and Management was based on potential marijuana sales of about $2 billion a year. New revenue would come primarily […]
Ohio Bankers Oppose Cannabis Legalization, Citing Conflicts With Federal Laws
Pot and banking don’t mix, the Ohio Bankers League said Wednesday in opposing a November election proposal to legalize marijuana. “Our board of directors voted to oppose state Issue 3 because of the conflict it would create between state and federal law,” Mike Adelman, league president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. The […]
Backers Defend Ohio Initiative to Legalize Marijuana
COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the major investors backing a ballot issue to legalize marijuana assured future entrepreneurs there would be thousands of business opportunities available to them despite the plan’s controversial limits on commercial growing. T-shirts with marijuana slogans, cannabis-infused beverages, packaging for marijuana products are among the endless possibilities Ohioans can come up […]
Ohio Marijuana “Mascot” Draws Complaints From Children’s Advocates
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Pro-marijuana group ResponsibleOhio introduced its new mascot to supporters this week, but its chosen face of marijuana legalization hasn’t been a hit with everyone. Part Superman, part cannabis plant, “Buddie” has a green marijuana bud for a head, sports six-pack abs and wears a cape. On his chest: The letter B over […]
Ohio Hazy on Impact Legalizing Marijuana Would Have on Banks and Businesses
He wasn’t smoking it. He didn’t even touch the stuff. Yet pot still got the Cleveland entrepreneur kicked out of his bank. The man operated a company providing a supporting service to cannabis farmers and ancillary businesses. His bank eventually connected the dots, realizing (partly because of the business’ name) he was working with marijuana-based […]
Business Groups Starting to Line Up Against Ohio’s Marijuana Ballot Amendment
A marijuana constitutional amendment is on Ohio’s November ballot, and business groups are lining up against it. The latest is the Council of Smaller Enterprises, which on Sunday, Aug. 16, announced it is joining the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association and the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, among others, in opposing passage of […]
Opponents of Ohio Marijuana Legalization to Roll Out Campaign Next Week
Organized opposition to marijuana legalization in Ohio has been slow developing, but a coalition touted as “broad and diverse as this state has ever seen” will be rolled out Monday. Opponents plan a press conference at 2 p.m. at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The event comes a day before a showdown at the Ohio Ballot Board […]
