Ohio Legalizes Cannabis And Overwhelmingly Approves Abortion Rights

Ohio is now the 24^th state in the nation wherein its voters went to the polls on Tuesday and declared a collective “yes” to cannabis legalization. With a majority of the votes counted, various outlets have called the election for legalization a success. 

Tipping Point?

We’ve all heard the saying “As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.” This has been true in numerous elections over decades. While the saying traditionally refers to the fact that no Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio, Tuesday’s hands-down cannabis victory is doubtless a positive barometer for national reform. 

One might even call Tuesday’s vote a tipping point. Acceptance of legalized adult-use marijuana in Ohio, population 11.7 million, means that more than half of the country now resides in a legal-weed state, having gone from 49.2% of the population to 52.7%.

Women's Right To Choose

Also on Tuesday's ballot was Issue 1, which passed overwhelmingly across the state, delivering a major win for Democrats and abortion rights advocates ahead of 2024, reported The Hill. 

The victorious proposed constitutional amendment in Ohio guarantees access to abortion and other forms of reproductive healthcare. 

Why It Matters: The abortion measure has become one of the highest-profile contests on the ballot this year and is among the most contentious state-level battles since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

What's In The Cannabis Initiative

Known as Issue 2 and led by the Coalition To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the initiative would allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home. A 10% tax would be imposed on purchases, with proceeds going to administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs. 

As Ohio goes, so goes the nation…who’s next?

Related News: 

Ohio's Potential $4B Green Rush: Will GOP Lawmakers Throw A Wrench Into The Works?

Ballots And Bullets: How Ohio's Weed Legalization Vote Might Affect Gun Purchases