Ohio Governor and Health Officials Voice Opposition to Cannabis Legalization

LOS ANGELES — As Ohio inches closer to a potential shift in its stance on adult-use cannabis, significant opposition emerges from top state officials. Last week, Governor Mike DeWine (R) expressed his dissent, stating to the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board that the proposed reforms would “be a real mistake,” a sentiment echoed by WSYX reports.

In a move that further solidifies the growing divide on this issue, the Ohio Association of Health Commissioners (AOHC), which stands for the interests of Ohio’s 112 local health departments, also recently urged Ohioans to reject the proposal.

Ohioans may get a direct say in the matter this November. Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed that campaigners have amassed sufficient signatures to put the cannabis legalization issue on the ballots.

Governor DeWine’s opposition stems from reported challenges in Colorado post-legalization. Drawing upon feedback from physicians and law enforcement in Colorado, he labeled the aftereffects an “unmitigated disaster,” noting that today’s cannabis is distinctly different, quipping that it’s “not your grandparents’ marijuana.”

Contrary to DeWine’s viewpoint, Tom Haren, chair of the Cannabis Law Group in Cleveland and a key spokesperson for the legalization movement, took issue with the Governor’s Colorado references. Highlighting the state’s successful program, Haren argued with WSYX, stating that cannabis products today are “not your grandfather’s marijuana” for all the right reasons — rigorous testing, stringent manufacturing practices, and a comprehensive regulatory framework.

However, not all opposition is directed at the quality of the product. AOHC Executive Director Beth Bickford, in a press release by Protect Ohio Workers and Families, emphasized concerns about increased accessibility. Bickford asserted that legalization could jeopardize children’s health and compromise the safety of workplaces and highways.

As the opioid crisis looms large in Ohio, Bickford stressed the need to seek solutions for addiction rather than enabling an industry that profits from it.

In retort, Haren pointed out that Ohio already battles with an illicit adult-use market, where unauthorized dealers might not differentiate between adult and child consumers. Haren emphasized the benefits of a regulated system, citing potential tax revenue that could bolster local communities.

Despite the compelling arguments for legalization, other prominent bodies, including the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association and the Ohio Adolescent Health Association, have also expressed their opposition to the proposed reforms.

As the November ballot approaches, the fate of cannabis legalization in Ohio hangs in the balance, reflecting a broader national dialogue on the merits and challenges of such policies.