Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has rejected a referendum petition that sought to block key provisions of a restrictive marijuana and hemp law, ruling that its summary language would mislead voters.
In a letter to petitioners from Ohioans for Cannabis Choice, Yost wrote: "Upon review of the summary, we identified omissions and misstatements that, as a whole, would mislead a potential signer."
The referendum targeted portions of legislation recently signed by the governor that scales back Ohio's voter-approved marijuana program and prohibits the sale of consumable hemp products outside licensed cannabis dispensaries.
What the AG Found
Yost cited several specific problems with the petition:
- Duplicate descriptions of hemp definitions that would confuse signers
- Inaccurate claims that the law permits cannabis delivery—it does not
- False statements about felony offenses disqualifying applicants for licensure
- Misrepresentations about free or discounted cannabis product provisions
"The summary inaccurately states that S.B. 56 repealed a prohibition" on gifts and samples, Yost noted. The bill actually directs cannabis regulators to establish standards prohibiting such incentives.
The Campaign Responds
Dennis Willard, spokesperson for Ohioans for Cannabis Choice, said the group will "fix the language, collect an additional 1,000 signatures, and not slow down." He vowed that voters will have an opportunity to reject the law this November.
The campaign must gather approximately 250,000 signatures to place the referendum on the ballot—similar efforts in other states have faced fraud allegations during signature gathering.
Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016 under House Bill 523, but recreational use was only approved by voters in November 2023. The market has since exceeded $1 billion in sales within its first year.
The rejection adds another procedural hurdle for cannabis advocates who argue the legislature's changes undermine what voters approved—a tension playing out in multiple states as prohibition groups challenge legalization.
This article is based on original reporting by Marijuana Moment.
