Senator Sherrod Brown Votes 'Yes' On Ohio Cannabis Legalization In Shift From Earlier Hesitation

Sen. Sherrod Brown, (D-Oh) is one of the few officials to publicly come out in support of Ohio’s Issue 2 to legalize recreational cannabis.

Brown’s “yes” vote for the initiative in early voting marks what many Ohioans are calling a societal and political shift toward acceptance of marijuana.

Brown posted a video on X/Twitter of himself and his wife after voting in favor of Issue 2 and Issue 1, which would enshrine abortion rights.

Read also: Ohio's Marijuana Legalization Initiative Likely To End Up On November Ballot With Abortion Amendment, Advocates Don't Mind

“We believe this is a health care decision that should be made by a woman and her doctor, not by a bunch of politicians in Columbus [Ohio’s capital],” Brown said. “We also voted for Issue 2.” 

Change Of Heart

The decision marks a shift for Brown, who has been wary of legalizing recreational cannabis since at least 2015, when Ohio voters rejected a similar ballot measure.

As recently as this past September, the senator said he was undecided on Issue 2.

"It was a hard decision. My wife and I spent a lot of time talking about it," Brown said.

“We voted to legalize because we thought overall regulation—legalization and regulation of marijuana use—the public would be safer doing it that way.”

What Say You, GOP?

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) has remained silent on Issue 2. While Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine and many, not all, members of the Ohio Republican Party have urged voters against approving the marijuana ballot. DeWine went as far as to threaten to overturn or alter the legalization measure if it passes.

Meanwhile, polls show that both Issues 1 and 2 have steady support, up to and in excess of 60%.

Issue 2 would legalize, regulate and tax adult-use marijuana in addition to Ohio's current medical cannabis program. The initiative was led by the Coalition To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. Voting will take place on Nov. 7.

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