Marijuana ballot campaign suspended in wake of statehouse action

COLUMBUS

A group eyeing a November ballot issue to legalize medical marijuana has suspended its signature-gathering efforts, days after lawmakers finalized legislation to create a state-regulated system for providing the drug to patients suffering certain conditions.

Brandon Lynaugh, campaign manager for Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, said in a released statement Saturday morning that the difficulties in raising the needed funds to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot and run a successful campaign were difficult propositions, given the legislature’s action and Gov. John Kasich’s expected signature.

“To be sure, there are shortcomings to the legislature’s measure,” Lynaugh said. "But, all in all, it is a moderately good piece of legislation passed by lawmakers who were pushed hard by the patient community.”

Lawmakers pursued the medical marijuana law changes, in part, to thwart the ballot issue, saying repeatedly that it would be better to have a state-regulated system that could be amended by the legislature rather than a constitutional amendment.

Read more about the matter in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.