Another WIN! Issue 2 to Commercialize, Regulate, Legalize and Tax the Adult Use Cannabis will become law in Ohio on December 7, 2023, thirty days after the November 7th General Election. Issue 2 won statewide by 56.97% YES and 43.03% NO.
Plaintiffs in a civil suit related to the HB6 First Energy massive $61 million bribery and money-laundering scandal have subpoenaed documents from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. In addition, they’re scheduling a sworn deposition with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) told a GOP group that he allowed several anti-abortion groups to assist in the rewrite of the ballot language of Issue 1. Thus, Ohio’s top elections official invited opponents to write ballot language that mischaracterized the abortion-rights amendment that supporters gathered a half-million registered voters’ signatures to put to on the November General Election ballot.
In addition, HB341 — which would change how Issue 2 revenue funds would be allocated and allow municipalities to ban marijuana dispensaries and home grow. The bill wipes out an entire section of the new law that prohibits municipalities from banning home grow, marijuana use and levying special taxes or fees on marijuana businesses.
COMMENTARY: Ohio voters just took firm positions on abortion and reproductive rights and adult-use recreational marijuana Tuesday, but gerrymandered Ohio lawmakers are already planning to flout, ignore, challenge, and abuse the voters’ wishes. This is what gerrymandering brings. This is why it’s a fundamental poison in the lifeblood of our republic.
