Ohio Governor. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is speaking to local television stations about his opposition against Issue 2, the ballot initiative which would legalize marijuana for adult use in Ohio. Newly released data from the state on campaign fundraising shows that supporters are ahead, with nearly four times as much money raised by their opponents.
DeWine claimed that voters are confused by both the cannabis measure as well as a separate initiative called Issue 1, which protects access to contraception and fertility treatments, and abortion. He played down polls that showed popular support for the two proposals.
DeWine, a local NBC-affiliated news station, told WLWT that the race would be close. “I still think there is confusion over both of them and I believe that both of these are going to be close.”
When asked about the polls that showed strong support for marijuana legalization, the Governor dismissed it.
He said, “The old saying goes, ‘the one poll that counts the most is the one taken on Election Day.'”
A recent survey found that 57% of likely voters supported the legalization initiative, including a small majority of Republicans. A survey of state legislators found that majorities among both Democrats (63%) and Republicans (52%%) expected voters to approve this measure.
DeWine has always been opposed to the legalization of marijuana, but he has recently spoken out in several interviews against Issue 2.
He told Spectrum News 1, that the small amount of money generated by the program would not be worth the harm caused to Ohioans. Instead, he suggested that the medical marijuana program could be expanded to achieve reforms.
According to a recent economic report released by Scioto Analysis, legalization through Issue 2 could produce net benefits of around $260 millions to the state each year.
The group stated that “although there is a possibility the costs will outweigh benefits, our simulation model suggests that in 90% of scenarios, legalizing recreational marijuana will have a net economic benefit for society.”
Researchers at Ohio State University published a separate study in August that found that the change would generate $404 million annually in tax revenue.
DeWine also attacks Issue 2 for being unfair to business. In an WLWT article, DeWine said that the initiative “favors some people and favors those who have already been licensed to sell medical marijuana over anyone else.”
This argument seems to be based on the concerns Ohioans expressed in 2015 when a legalization measure was rejected by voters with a vote of 64-36. This plan would have handed control of the marijuana market to a few producers, leading to many supporters holding back their support. The organizers of the current campaign claim that they used lessons learned from the failure to craft the current initiative.
DeWine also said in an interview with WTOL that legalization could send the wrong message for kids.
He said.
The yes campaign is leading in terms of fundraising, according to statements made on Thursday by both supporters and opponents. Coalition to Regulate marijuana like alcohol has received nearly $1.2million total contributions. The opposition Protect Ohio Workers and Families has raised approximately a quarter (almost $353,000).
Local news report state that Issue 2 campaigns and Issue 1 campaigns spent a total of $1 million combined in the weeks leading up to this election. This is a far smaller amount than the campaigns spent on Issue 1, which was the abortion amendment. This is also a fraction compared to the $20 million spent by business interests in support of legalization measures.
The majority of the funds — about $883,000 — came from cannabis companies and executives. Curaleaf is a multistate New York operator that donated $200,000 while FarmaceuticalRx, a Pittsburgh-based company, donated $250,000.
Ohio law prohibits contributions from “unknown” donors. Two donations totaling $275,000 were made by anonymous donors. Tom Haren, a campaign spokesperson, told Marijuana Moment the funds were from the advocacy group Marijuana Policy Project.
Haren said that the missing information is the result of “miscommunications” between staff members and it will be updated.
Funders against Issue 2 include the Ohio Manufacturers Association (101,000), an owner of a manufacturing business ($100,000), and a group that advocates for nursing homes ($25,000). Also, the American Jobs and Growth Fund, based in Washington, D.C. ($50,000), and state senator George Lang (R), from Ohio, each contributed $10,000.
The data on campaign fundraising will not be updated before the 7th November vote.
The key provisions of the measure for legalization on the 7th November ballot:
- This initiative will allow adults over 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces (or 15 grams) of marijuana. They can also have up-to-15 grams of marijuana concentrates.
- Each individual could grow six plants to use for their own personal needs, and a maximum of 12 plants in a household.
- The 10 percent tax on cannabis sales would go to fund social equity and job programs (36%), localities who allow adult-use marijuana businesses to operate in their areas (36%), education and drug misuse programs (25%), and administrative costs for implementing the system (3%).
- The Department of Commerce would establish a Division of Cannabis Control. The division would be able to “license and regulate adult-use cannabis operators, adult-use testing laboratories, as well as individuals who are required to have a license.”
- This measure will give current medical cannabis businesses an advantage in the recreational market. Within nine months after the law’s enactment, regulators would have to start issuing adult use licenses to applicants who are qualified and operate medical cannabis operations.
- The division will also have to issue 50 adult-use retail licenses, and 40 recreational cultivator licences. This is “with preference given to applicants who are participating in the cannabis social equality and jobs program.” It would also authorize regulators to grant additional licenses for recreational market after two years.
- Municipalities could opt not to allow new recreational cannabis businesses to open in their region, but existing medical marijuana companies would still be allowed to operate alongside adult-use facilities. Employers can also enforce policies that prohibit workers from using cannabis for adult purposes.
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services would also be required to enter into an agreement to provide “cannabis-addiction services”, which would include “education and treatment of individuals with addiction issues related either to cannabis or to other controlled substances, including opioids”.
- Some advocates worry about the lack specific language regarding automatic expungements, which would clear the records for people who have convictions from crimes that would become legal under the new legislation. The measure includes a clause requiring regulators “to study and fund” criminal reform initiatives, including expungements.
DeWine has joined a group of Republican officials who have come out against the legalization of cannabis.
The GOP-controlled Senate, which is responsible for early voting in Ohio, passed a resolution encouraging residents to reject the measure. Other Republicans in Ohio are divided over the issue despite the GOP-led solution.
Mark Romachuk, a Republican state senator, warned that the passage of Issue 2 could lead to increased problems for children on roads and in the workplace. According to local media, “This poses challenges for maintaining safe workplaces in industries that demand high alertness and accuracy like Ohio’s Manufacturing Businesses.”
Senate President Matt Huffman, (R), said in an earlier statement that would “come right back to this body” so lawmakers could amend. Huffman clarified later that he would not seek to repeal the plan in its entirety, but instead advocate for “reviewing it and repealing or changing things within it.”
Last month, a number of Ohio legislators said that they did not believe the legislature would repeal a legalization law passed by voters. Rep. Ron Ferguson, a Republican, told The Dispatch that there is not a majority in either chamber of the legislature who would support repeal. “That is definitely not the situation. “You would not have any Democrats and there wouldn’t be enough Republicans to place them at the top.”
As the election approaches, both sides have increased their messaging and voter turnout efforts. The yes campaign sent cease-and-desist letters earlier this month to television stations that were airing opposition ads “filled with lies.” and the Campaign to Regulate Cannabis Like Alcohol released its own pro Issue 2 election ad.
Attorney General Dave Yost, (R), published a report on the initiative . He said that this analysis was meant to give voters “vital transparency and clarity” in a campaign marked by “inflamed” and “inaccurate” rhetoric.
DeWine said previously in August that “it would a real error for us to have marijuana recreationally.” He added that he had visited Colorado after its legalization in 2012, and seen what he called an “unmitigated catastrophe.”
Last year, Sen. John Hickenlooper, who was Colorado’s governor in 2012 and was a Democrat, stated that he had initially been concerned that legalization might encourage more young people to use drugs, but that he now believes that these concerns were unfounded.
“I believe we have proven and shown that there has been no increase in teenagers’ experimentation with drugs.” Hickenlooper stated that there was no change in the frequency of use or driving while high. “All of the things that we were most concerned about didn’t happen.”
Unlike top Republican state legislators, U.S. Rep Dave Joyce, R-OH, co-chairman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus said last month he will vote in favor of this initiative in November. He also encouraged “all Ohio citizens to make their voices heard and participate in this important issue.”
The Ohio Ballot Board has approved the summary language for legalization measure.
In May , bipartisan Ohio legislators submitted a separate bill for legalizing marijuana. This gave the Ohio legislature another chance to lead the reform. It has not yet advanced, but now it is up to the voters to decide.
The total number of states that have legalized adult use will increase to 24 if the initiative is passed.
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