GOP Battle Over Marijuana Legalization Deepens In Ohio As Republican Congressman Announces He'll Vote For It

As Ohio Republicans spar over November’s initiated ballot to legalize adult-use cannabis, U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R) confirmed his support for the Nov. 7 ballot measure, known as Issue 2.

Joyce, who co-chairs the Congressional Cannabis Caucus said on Monday that his days as both a prosecutor and public defender made him recognize “early on that there are better uses of law enforcement resources than pursuing low-level possession convictions” and seek sensible reforms in Congress.

“Modeled after the alcohol industry, which accounts for the unique needs, rights and laws of each state, this proposal establishes a regulatory regime based on the specific desires of individual communities,” Joyce said in a statement released Monday, reported Cleveland.com. “The measure lets communities determine for themselves the best approach to cannabis within their own borders by keeping it out of communities that do not want it. It also allows employers to maintain policies prohibiting employee drug use and keeps cannabis out of the hands of anyone under the age of 21 without the consent of a medical professional.”

Joyce noted that the genie is not going back into the bottle when it comes to cannabis reform.

“Today, 47 states have passed laws permitting or decriminalizing cannabis or cannabis-based products. The measure being considered in Ohio is a responsible approach to ensuring products that are sold to consumers are safe, consistent, and effectively regulated. I look forward to voting yes in November.”

Also on Monday, the Ohio Business Roundtable, an organization that represents over 100 of the state’s largest employers, announced it opposes the recreational marijuana proposal, reported WKSU.

Joyce, who attended the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago last September also favors ending federal cannabis prohibition and is a staunch advocate for cannabis banking. 

It's not just me, @RepDaveJoyce says it too!

The @Benzinga #Cannabis Capital Conference is the place to be!

* https://t.co/qLjHwC5sZW for more info on our Chicago event, Sep. 27-28.@BzCannabis @JasonRaznick @ElliotLane10 @PatrickLaneBZ @LukeJacobi @IAmTonyNoto @aaronbry5 pic.twitter.com/c5L5sTQFQd

— Javier Hasse (@JavierHasse) May 16, 2023

As the cannabis proposal is an initiated statute, the legislature could repeal parts or all of the law, if passed.

"There are a number of legislators who have publicly commented that they will block marijuana in any way they can and that could possibly mean overturning the will of the voters," said Republican state Rep. Jamie Callender, a supporter of legalizing cannabis called the move "politically ill-advised."

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which led the cannabis proposal, has been confident that the proposal will pass. A July USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University poll found that nearly 59% percent of Ohioans supported legalized cannabis.