Today is the first day of fall, and the unofficial kickoff to election season. This November,
Ohioans will vote on a new governor, as Gov. John Kasich’s term comes to an end. Of course, medical marijuana patients and advocates are asking “Where do the candidates stand on marijuana?”
Though the Ohio medical marijuana program has been delayed, medical cannabis became legal in Ohio when Gov. Kasich signed House Bill 523 into law in 2016. The law covers certain types of use for 21 qualifying medical conditions. Now the conversation has progressed on to recreational marijuana, just as it has in many other states, with nine states legalizing adult use. In a recent televised debate, candidates Richard Cordray (D) and Mike DeWine (R) spoke out on the issue of recreational marijuana and took completely opposite stances.
Democrat Cordray recently revealed a decidedly pro-marijuana stance, moreso than he has in previous discussions on the matter, according to Marijuana Moment. He said he was supportive of the creation of new ballot issues for full cannabis legalization and that if elected he would sign any initiatives that passed. In the past, he took a softer approach, saying he would support the will of the people either way, without putting much of his own personal opinions out there. He called the 2015 ballot initiative to legalize marijuana “monopolistic,” parroting buzzwords marijuana adversaries started throwing around to torpedo the measure. Now, he has taken a far more clear and proactive stance in favor of future measures.
DeWine, conversely, has taken a hard stand against any expansion of marijuana laws in Ohio. DeWine is a Republican currently serving as Ohio attorney general and formerly a U.S. Senator. In his role as attorney general, he certified in May petition language for a proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution that would legalize recreational cannabis, a necessary step to get the issue on the ballot. DeWine, however, has said he would not sign such a measure into law if voted into office as governor. This declaration is not only grossly behind the times but a flagrant disregard of the will of the people.
DeWine called the recreational marijuana marketplace in Colorado a disaster, which is probably a surprise to the many business owners in Colorado whose sales have hit record highs and the citizens reaping the benefits of thriving economies and tax revenue.
The candidates also took starkly different paths on the issue of punishment of certain felony drug possession crimes. Cordray supports a November ballot measure that would reclassify select crimes to misdemeanors, favoring treatment over jail time, while DeWine scoffed at any notion that helping people could actually work.
When so many people in the country have come together on this critical issue, it was disappointing for our Columbus marijuana advocates to see this debate turn into partisan politics as usual. One of the most prominent advocates of cannabis has been Ohio’s very own John Boehner, who went from staunchly anti-marijuana Speaker of the House of Representatives to cannabis lobbyist, fighting specifically for veterans who rely on its calming and medicinal effects. We can only hope more people can finally put the interests of the people before political interests.
Mary Jane Creative Group offers marijuana advertising and marketing services to medical marijuana operations in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Youngstown, and throughout Ohio. Contact us at 330-353-8837.
More Resources
Denver Marijuana Sales Reach Record High of $587 Million, Sales Across State Continue to Rise, The Denver Post, Aug. 9, 2018
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