(UPDATED at 12:30 a.m.) MANSFIELD, Ohio — The smoke has cleared in an emotional debate, and Ohio and Richland County spoke emphatically at Tuesday’s election.
There will be no legalized marijuana in the state this election cycle.
“Tonight’s vote is a resounding statement that Ohioans do not support the enshrinement of marijuana cartels in Ohio’s Constitution,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Tonight is a great victory for Ohio’s families, public safety and the democratic process.”
Issue 3 was the hot-button topic. It would’ve allowed the commercial production and sale of marijuana, but in just 10 locations. It also would’ve permitted individuals to grow limited amounts of the plant for personal use.
As of 12:30 a.m., 1,951,729 opposed the issue, 1,091,039 favored it around Ohio.
Locally, Richland County mirrored the state with strong opposition to marijuana legalization. With all 29 precincts reporting, 22,192 votes were cast against the issue, compared to 10,989 for it (67 percent to 33 percent).
Responsible Ohio Executive Director Ian James said the fight isn’t over.
“We’d like to thank the hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who worked tirelessly to put Issue 3 on the ballot, educate friends and family members and who voted to bring marijuana reform to our state,” James said. “We would never have gotten this far without your support.
“We trust the voters. We started the conversation, and we’re going to continue the conversation starting tomorrow. The status quo doesn’t work, it’s unacceptable and we’re not going away. All the things we’ve fought for are true. Ohioans still need treatment and deserve compassionate care. And our state needs the jobs and tax revenue that marijuana legalization will bring.”
Issue 1 was also a landslide decision. It creates a bipartisan process for drawing legislative districts. In the past the dominant party set boundaries that tilted heavily toward advantageous districts encompassing their partisan pockets of the population.
As of 12:30 a.m., 2,018,109 favored the change, compared to just 806,623 that sought to keep the system in place.
Locally, the spread was similar. Richland County voters supported the issue 21,177 to 9,743 (68 percent to 32 percent).
Issue 2 was the closest of the statewide issues. It was created largely to combat what many argued was a de facto monopoly that would’ve been established if Issue 3 passed. Issue 2 also opposes granting special tax conditions, requiring voters to agree to waive the rules before voting on the issue.
As of 12:30 a.m., 1,548,406 supported the issue, 1,447,314 opposed it. Locally, the vote was close, too. There were 17,369 for the measure, 15,269 against it (53 percent to 47 percent).
As a community development group committed to growing Mansfield, NECIC sees civic engagement as vital for a healthy community. Rooted in the North End, their efforts benefit North Central Ohio and beyond. They promote informed voter turnout for a thriving society. Explore at www.necic-ohio.org.