Backers supporting legalizing pot challenge ballot language

By Marc Kovac | August 26, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Backers of an amendment to legalize marijuana use in the state are criticizing Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted’s decision to use the word “monopoly” in titles for two ballot issues to be decided by voters in November.

“The titles Secretary Husted gave to Issue 2 and Issue 3 are absurd and were clearly written to intentionally mislead and confuse voters in November,” Ian James, executive director of ResponsibleOhio, said in a released statement Tuesday afternoon, after Husted released the titles.

For Issue 2, the lawmaker-written amendment aimed at blocking the inclusion of special business interests to the state constitution, Husted opted for the descriptor, “Anti-monopoly amendment; protects the initiative process from being used for personal economic benefit.”

For Issue 3, Responsible-Ohio’s proposal to regulate marijuana, Husted describes the plan as granting “a monopoly for the commercial production and sale of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes.”

Husted has authority under Ohio Revised Code for assigning titles for statewide ballot issues.

He and ResponsibleOhio already are at odds over the language approved by the Ballot Board for Issue 3.

Husted told reporters last week the ballot language was “a fair and accurate summary of the proposal that we can put before voters.”

But ResponsibleOhio plans to file suit in the Ohio Supreme Court, claiming the ballot language is not a fair and accurate portrayal of its amendment.

James said the title issue also will be included as part of the filing.

“Ballot issue titles and language are meant to be a neutral, fair representation of each proposal,” he said. “Utilizing taxpayer dollars to lead such a blatant attack, in an effort to confuse voters, is utterly shameful.”