This is the final entry in a series from Ohio Marijuana Card this 2018 election season. This series details a few of the different political candidates running for office throughout the Buckeye State, and what their stance is on medical marijuana and recreational marijuana.
Our first entry explored why cannabis is the best option for candidates hoping to gain an edge over competitors, and why any candidate who passionately advocates for marijuana on their campaign trail will win, no matter what. You can give it a read by clicking here.
The second edition explored gubernatorial candidates, and the third edition took a look at the Ohio Attorney General race. For this final edition, we will be taking a look at the Ohio Senate race.
Please note: Ohio Marijuana Card does not endorse any political candidate at this time. This series serves to offer a history of who is for or against marijuana in Ohio, why they may have that stance, and why it is important to come out in support of legalization efforts.
Jim Renacci - Hard no on legalization
The Ohio Senate race has been in full swing for several months now, but neither candidate has expressed much opinion on the subject of marijuana legalization. This is pretty frustrating as cannabis legalization will be a major issue now that both Canada and Mexico are considering, or have already passed, legalization efforts.
Alas, Jim Renacci has done little to campaign on the subject, nor has he taken much of a stance on the issue, despite marijuana legalization efforts in Ohio making it to the ballot as recently as 2015. It's downright odd to find so little about a candidate's take on cannabis. That is, unless they are opposed to legalization and are intentionally keeping mum on the subject.
When searching through VoteSmart's database of public statements, Renacci came up with zero public statements on marijuana. However, NORML scored his performance as a government official, rating him a 'D' on the subject of legalization. And Dayton Daily News reports that he is opposed to recreational legalization and is "closely watching" the implementation of the medical marijuana Ohio program.
Though Renacci has been silent on Ohio cannabis, he appears to be opposed to any further legalization efforts beyond medical. This could mean he'll leave Ohio's current MMJ laws alone, or he could clamp down on marijuana if such a push ever came to pass from the federal government.
Sherrod Brown - Outdated thought
Sherrod Brown is an old-thought democrat on the issue of cannabis, meaning his stance on reefer legalization is about as lifeless and outdated as they come, as to not stir the water and rattle any of his more conservative-leaning constituents. But in the past, Brown has taken an even harsher stance on legalization (see above video), earning him a score of a 'D' from NORML, and a C- from Civilized.
Sherrod Brown even made this public statement back in 2010 when he was a congressman, "While it is important to consider the potential medical benefits of marijuana, particularly for terminally ill patients whose quality of life may hinge on effective pain management, there are risks associated with making marijuana legally available. The widespread popularity and use of this drug among our nation’s youth, as well as its role as a “pipeline” drug...distinguishes it from other controlled substances, and we must be particularly careful before creating the potential for expanded access and use.”
Utilizing the tired "gateway drug" philosophy has all but crippled support for Brown from the cannabis advocacy community. While he appears fine with medical marijuana, his stance on that subject holds strong only for those who are terminally ill. For everything else, from full legalization to medical marijuana, Sherrod Brown has been soft, suggesting that more research needs to be done, and that recreational programs are risky.
Go vote!
That's it for this 2018 election season. Don't forget to vote on November 6, 2018. Remember, every vote matters, and sometimes elections can even boil down to a handful of votes, so please ... don't fool around. Vote! You can also check out what will be on your ballot by heading over to BallotReady.
Also, if you would like to contact your local representatives and tell them that you support medical marijuana, CBD legalization or full marijuana legalization, we've written up this handy resource to help.
In the meantime, if you are an Ohioan suffering from one of these 21 medical conditions you may be eligible to treat your ailment with medical marijuana. Click here to learn more about what Ohio Marijuana Card's state-certified medical marijuana doctors can do for you, or give us a call at 1-866-457-5559 and our friendly support team can walk you through the entire process, and set you up with an appointment.
Comments