GOP In Turmoil As Ohio Ballot Board Approves Language For Marijuana Law And Abortion Amendment

The Ohio Ballot Board approved ballot language on Thursday for a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana that will go before voters on November 7. The proposed marijuana law will be known as State Issue 2.

If passed, the statute would legalize, regulate and tax adult-use marijuana in addition to Ohio's current medical cannabis program. The Republican-controlled board unanimously backed the draft language after clashing over language for the proposed abortion rights amendment.

Cannabis Is A Proposed Statute, Abortion An Amendment

Because the cannabis legalization proposal was submitted through a citizens-initiated statute led by the Coalition To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, it is not an amendment and can be overturned. Abortion, however, is a constitutional issue.

The GOP Doesn't Like Either

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and Senate president Matt Huffman are opposed to adult-use marijuana and abortion and many fear they'll push to repeal the former if it passes.

"There are a number of legislators who have publicly commented that they will block marijuana in any way they can and that could possibly mean overturning the will of the voters," said Republican state Rep. Jamie Callender.
Circling The Wagons

Meanwhile, the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners,

which represents 112 local health departments is urging Ohioans to vote “no” on legalizing recreational cannabis, citing the state’s opioid crisis and dangers of teen cannabis use.

Have You Seen The Studies?

Being health commissioners, one wonders why they would not have consulted some, if not all, available research on the opioid crisis. Only recently a study from the U.S. and Canadian Institutes of Health found cannabis to be associated with reduced opioid cravings for people using unregulated opioids and people living with chronic pain.

Even more publicized studies have shown that teen cannabis consumption has declined in states where it is legal.

Later on Thursday, the board arrived at ballot language that will appear on the reproductive rights measure, which emphasizes terms such as "unborn child" (rather than the original term "fetus") and minimizes any limits on abortion, which Democrats called unfair and inaccurate.