Ohio group ends drive for ballot issue on pot
By Marc Kovac
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 statement Saturday 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. “There are a number of qualifying conditions which should have been included, and we firmly believe that patients should have the right to smoke and grow their own medical marijuana. 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.
House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger , R-Clarksville, said the group’s decision was “welcomed news.”
“But more importantly, it is an indication of the General Assembly’s willingness to listen and respond to the will of Ohioans,” he said in a released statement. “By shepherding the passage of House Bill 523, they offered a common-sense plan to Ohioans that provides a system for legalizing medical marijuana that is tightly regulated but accessible to those who need it.”