Ohio leaders seek to block special-interest ballot issues

COLUMBUS (AP) — Republican legislative leaders in Ohio want make it harder to amend the state’s constitution with ballot issues that provide economic benefits to few individuals or create monopolies.

Senate President Keith Faber and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger say a resolution introduced today would curb such amendments from getting through the swing state’s ballot initiative process.

Voters would have to approve of the proposal, which must pass the Legislature before Aug. 5 to appear on fall ballots.

The effort comes as one group seeks to legalize marijuana and create designated grow sites around the state.

A proposed amendment, from ResponsibleOhio, would establish 10 grow sites, some of which investors have already purchased. Backers of the issue say they have more than enough signatures to get it on 2015 ballots.