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.
