Pot legalization group reports spending $2 million in effort

COLUMBUS (AP) — A group working to get a marijuana legalization issue on Ohio’s fall ballot has spent more than $2 million in its effort so far this year and has about $82,000 in cash on hand, according to a campaign finance report filed today.

The report shows that ResponsibleOhio raised nearly $1.7 million during the first half of the year from investors with a stake in the marijuana growing sites outlined in its proposed constitutional amendment. No names of individual donors were listed in the group’s semi-annual report, just the corporations tied to the private investors. Almost all donations from the entities were for $50,000 or more.

The ballot issue campaign was among those reporting political fundraising and spending to the state’s elections chief on today.

Candidates and other committees also were to disclose their contributions and expenses through June 30, though they can include items beyond that date.

ResponsibleOhio paid almost $1.6 million to The Strategy Network, which has helped coordinate the signature drive to get the issue on the November ballot. It’s the consulting firm of the campaign’s executive director, Ian James.