Rejection of legal pot leaves future in question

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The future of marijuana in Ohio was uncertain after the resounding defeat of an effort to legalize cannabis for both medical and recreational use in a single vote.

The proposal rejected by voters on Tuesday could be followed in 2016 by a more conventional legalization plan, one that doesn’t give exclusive growing rights to private investors.

Concerns about possibly creating marijuana monopolies appeared to be a major factor in its defeat.

State voters also easily approved a new system for drawing state legislative districts that’s intended to reduce partisan gerrymandering. The Issue 1 vote marked a significant victory of bipartisanship in the closely divided political state, even amid the year’s contentious marijuana debate.

Gov. John Kasich, a Republican presidential candidate, praised voters for their decision on marijuana.

“At a time when too many families are being torn apart by drug abuse, Ohioans said no to easy access to drugs and instead chose a path that helps strengthen our families and communities,” he said in a statement.

The marijuana question failed after an expensive campaign, a legal fight over its ballot wording and an investigation launched into the proposal’s petition signatures.

Campaign director Ian James assured supporters at a downtown Columbus gathering that the fight was not over, calling Tuesday’s defeat “a bump in the road.”

“We need to not only address compassionate care for the chronically ill, we need to also remain vigilant in protecting direct democracy,” he said. “Because when the Statehouse refuses to deal with the voters, the voters have to make them deal to make sure that their voices are heard.”

Some who voted “no” on legalization didn’t like that a small group of investors would have exclusive rights to grow pot commercially.

“I can’t believe I voted ‘no’ when it was finally on the ballot,” said Marty Dvorchak, 62, of the northern Cincinnati suburb of Fairfield. “I think it’s ridiculous that marijuana is illegal.”

University of Cincinnati student Natalie McClorey, 22, said she also didn’t like the exclusive arrangement — but voted yes because it’s progress. She said she thought most students would vote the same — if they vote.

In a last-minute legal scuffle, a judge ordered polls in Cincinnati and surrounding Hamilton County to remain open for an extra 90 minutes — leading to a delay in reported results statewide.

A few precincts in southwest Ohio’s Hamilton County reported problems getting voters their ballots because of poll workers’ unfamiliarity with a new electronic check-in system being used for the first time. The marijuana legalization campaign, ResponsibleOhio, sought the extension citing those problems.

Cheryl Davis, 46, who voted in Cleveland, said she uses marijuana to help alleviate chronic pain in her back and voted in favor of legalization. Marijuana “helps me be comfortable in my daily living,” she said.

Timothy Shearer, 47, said he voted “yes” on legalization and “no” on the anti-monopoly measure. He said he didn’t believe opponents’ arguments that legalization would increase risks to drug addiction, saying he believes harder drugs cause more problems.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a user. I’m a military guy,” he said. “But I think you should have a right to choose.”