Petition Language Approved for Bid to Repeal Ohio’s Recent Hemp and Cannabis Changes

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday certified the title and
summary language for theproposed referendum aimed at repealing a bill that
implemented restrictions on the state’s voter-approved adult-use cannabis
law. The proposal would also undo lawmaker approved changes to the state’s
hemp regulations.

In a letter approving the title and language, Attorney General Dave Yost
said the certification “should not be construed as an affirmation of the
enforceability and constitutionality of the referendum petition.”

“My role, as executed here, is limited to determining whether the wording
of the title and summary properly advises potential petition signers of a
measure’s material components.” — Yost, in the letter

Yost had previously rejected the proposal’s title and language in January,
concluding the title and language were not “a fair and truthful
representation of the measure.” Ohioans for Cannabis Choice later refiled
the petition, and Dennis Willard, spokesperson for the group, said the
organization had “addressed each and every issue raised by [Yost], and… are
confident [the] new petition summary language will be approved.”

In order to put the issue to voters, the campaign must collect
and submit signatures equal to 6% of the votes cast in the most recent
gubernatorial election, or roughly 250,000 before the bill signed by Gov.
Mike DeWine (R) in December takes effect in mid-March. Those signatures
must come from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.