The Ohio Republican State Central Committee has unanimously endorsed a “no” vote on November’s Issue 2 which aims to legalize unfettered marijuana access across Ohio and passed a resolution condemning November’s Issue 1 to enshrine abortion into the state constitution.
Ohio State Issue 2 aims to impose a 10 percent tax on the sale of all cannabis products, permit adults to grow up to six plants per person or 12 per household, and legalize the possession, purchase, and sale of marijuana by Ohio residents aged 21 and older.
According to Ohio GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou in a press release e-mailed to The Ohio Star, Issue 2 is a dangerous initiative that in the long run will only hurt the state of Ohio.
“Issue 2 is a dangerous proposition that will endanger children, hurt Ohio businesses, and weaken our workforce,” Triantafilou said.
A study released earlier this year in the journal Pediatrics details that as more states have legalized marijuana use between 2017 and 2021, the number of very young children eating edible forms of marijuana spiked dramatically. According to the report, this is mainly due to the marijuana industry’s shown inability to handle its product responsibly, frequently packaging it to resemble common children’s treats.
According to the Ohio GOP, the marijuana industry has also previously made tactics to normalize the use of marijuana such as introducing “Buddie the Marijuana Mascot” to promote marijuana use in Ohio.
Triantafilou says that these tactics implemented by the marijuana industry to target Ohio children will only increase if Issue 2 passes in November.
“Don’t expect them to stop targeting children, and putting them at risk, if Issue 2 passes in November,” Triantafilou said.
The Ohio GOP also passed a resolution to urge a “no” vote on the radical abortion initiative on November’s ballot.
This proposed amendment would add a Section 22 to Article 1 of the state constitution. The proposal would remove Ohio’s parental notification legislation when a minor wants an abortion, as well as the requirement that abortionists adhere to fundamental hospital health and safety standards. The proposal also aims to permit abortions far after babies have heartbeats and can feel pain.
The Ohio GOP previously unanimously voted to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment in May but say that they believe that it’s necessary to pass an additional resolution to reaffirm their commitment to defeat the radical proposal.
According to the Ohio GOP, the abortion amendment is in direct contradiction with the values of the party. To protect the unborn is a fundamental value of the party.
Triantafilou said that “across the board, Ohioans must remember to vote ‘NO’ this November on Issue 1 and Issue 2.”
The Ohio Republican Party passed both resolutions with unanimous support.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, and The Tennessee Star. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou” by Alex Triantafilou and “Buddie the Marijuana Mascot” by Responsible Ohio.
