Ohio Republicans split on Nov. marijuana legalization and could … – News 5 Cleveland WEWS
COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio Republicans are divided on the effort to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state.
Just because they belong to the same party doesn't mean they have to agree on everything which is exactly what is happening right now with weed.
Recreational marijuana may become legal this November and many Ohio Republicans aren't happy about it.
"It would be a mistake," Governor Mike DeWine said.
He has always been anti-recreational weed. He opposes the ballot issue that would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and up. If passed, Ohioans could also grow up to six marijuana plants. In addition, the proposal would impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction.
RELATED: Recreational marijuana makes Ohio's Nov. ballot, joining abortion rights amendment
"This product has been developed and its potency is significantly higher than it was years ago," DeWine said. "It's not your grandfather's marijuana or your grandmother's marijuana."
Legalization will only tell kids that drugs are okay, the governor added.
"Even though they might not be able to use it until they're 18 or 21... the message you're sending to a 13-year-old is, 'well, look, it's legal'" he said. "That is reinforced every time the 13-year-old is in the car with mom or dad and they go by a shop at least in Denver with a little green man."
RELATED: Advocates say budding careers will grow if Ohio legalizes marijuana this November
Not everyone in his party feels the same. Statehouse reporter Morgan Trau tried to ask the governor a few times about this.
"I dont speak for them and they dont speak for me," DeWine said, cutting Trau's question off.
Republican state Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) has put forward legislation to legalize adult use. His bill is very similar to the current ballot proposal, which he supports.
"Cannabis has some very legitimate uses, whether it's pain relief, whether it's an alternative to alcohol," Callender said. "I don't know that we have any business legislating or certainly making criminal."
He responded to the governor that marijuana may be more potent, but it's actually safer now.
"Any cannabis that would be sold in any form would be tested in a pharmaceutical quality lab," Callender added. "And in Mike DeWine's grandfather's day that was not the case."
Callender isnt the only supporter either; other GOP lawmakers like Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) support legalization. The approval isn't limited to state politics.
"Congressman Joyce plans to vote yes and thinks its important that all Ohioans make their voices heard in November," a spokesperson for Congressman Dave Joyce (R-OH) said.
Callender is concerned that even if it passes, Ohioans still won't get recreational marijuana.
"There are a number of legislators who have publicly commented that they will block marijuana in any way they can and that could possibly mean overturning the will of the voters," he said.
This is a bad idea, he said.
"I think that would be politically ill-advised especially after Issue 1 just failed so strongly for the legislature to override the clear will of the people," the lawmaker added.
Callender was one of the few Republicans who opposed the unpopular Issue 1 when it was going through the House process to get on the ballot. The Northeast Ohio Republican is also one of the most moderate, which makes sense given his Cleveland-area constituents. He often opposes the most controversial bills, like one restricting healthcare for transgender youth that also banned trans kids from playing middle and high school sports.
The General Assembly is able to repeal a ballot proposal when the issue is an initiated statute. This differs from the abortion proposal, which is a constitutional amendment.
This means that lawmakers are technically able to repeal the proposal the day after it passes.
When asking Senate President Matt Huffman, avidly anti-marijuana, his team said it was too early to tell, and to let November happen first.
"Those are just not good things that we need to see in the state of Ohio," DeWine said.
GOP Divide
Despite having a dominant supermajority, Ohio Republicans don't or rather can't use it.
The House GOP is completely divided due to the speakership "coup" that happened in Jan. Twenty-two Republicans (known "affectionately" by the other faction as the "Blue 22") voted for state Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) for speaker, while the majority of Republicans voted for state Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova). Stephens, still a conservative, is more moderate than Merrin.
The anti-Stephens faction has been relentless in fighting Stephens at every opportunity. Stephens has had to rely on Democrats, the majority of the lawmakers who voted for him as speaker, to get his work done like passing the House rules. The budget was bipartisan, with Finance Chairman Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) working closely with state Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland).
The latest drama is with the effort to repeal scandal-ridden, taxpayer-funded subsidies for coal plants.
RELATED: Ohio Statehouse drama continues as lawmakers attempt to repeal scandal-ridden coal plant subsidies
Other recent GOP divides include:
Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.
Go here to see the original:
Ohio Republicans split on Nov. marijuana legalization and could ... - News 5 Cleveland WEWS
- The Republicans who still haven't endorsed Donald Trump - The Economist - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- 'Incredibly positive': Disability advocates commend Kansas Republicans' effort on waitlists Kansas Reflector - Kansas Reflector - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- The AZ Senate has repealed the 1864 abortion ban, after 2 Republicans join Dems - Arizona Mirror - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Voters could support abortion rights and Republicans in November - NPR - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- E&C Republicans Open Investigation into Allegations of Political Bias at Taxpayer-Funded NPR, Request Attendance ... - Energy and Commerce Committee - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans, concerned about dairy industry, urge calm about H5N1 bird flu - STAT - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- House Republicans, Seeking Political Edge Amid College Protests, Spotlight Antisemitism - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- 2024 election poll: Trump vs. Biden and what Republicans and Democrats fear - NPR - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans, Democrats, and Donald Trump Agree on One Thing: Marjorie Taylor Greene's Move to Oust Mike ... - Vanity Fair - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Kristi Noems dog-killing embodies the cruel phoneyness of todays Republicans - The Guardian - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Opinion | Republicans preferred China strategy is reckless and dangerous - The Washington Post - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Letter: Are the Democrats more faithful to the Constitution than the Republicans? Let's consider health care to answer ... - Salt Lake Tribune - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans Call on NPRs Chief, Katherine Maher, to Testify on Bias - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- The 8 types of Democrats and Republicans in the House - ABC News - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene launches her plan to oust Speaker Johnson - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Tennessee's school voucher debate turns to competitive Republican state House and Senate primaries Tennessee ... - Tennessee Lookout - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Roy eyes steamroller agenda if Republicans sweep in November - Roll Call - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- The Governor of Kansas Vetoed Four Anti-Abortion Measures. Republicans Rammed Them Through Anyway. Mother ... - Mother Jones - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- House Republicans expand investigations into campus antisemitism - Inside Higher Ed - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Bill to Combat Antisemitism on Campuses Prompts Backlash From the Right - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- House Republicans Are Standing Up Against Antisemitic Mobs That Have Overrun America's Colleges & Universities - GOP.gov - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- This High-Ranking Republican Supports an Off-the-Wall Solution to Tackle Social Security's $22.4 Trillion Cash Shortfall - The Motley Fool - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Trump says Republicans always wanted to leave abortion law to states. That's false. - NBC News - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Stapilus: It's not how many Republicans there are, but what kind - Idaho Press - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- How House Republicans Are Responding To Campus Protests : The NPR Politics Podcast - NPR - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans catching up with Democrats on mail-in voting - Washington Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Campus Protests Over Gaza Open a New Line of Attack for GOP in 2024 Election - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- After losing three straight times, are Republicans as invested in Vegas House seats? - The Nevada Independent - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Congressional Republicans announce resolution to overturn Biden tailpipe rule - The Hill - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- NC Senate Republicans advance bill forcing law enforcement cooperation with ICE NC Newsline - NC Newsline - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans are airing out their inability to govern on 2024 campaign trail - The Washington Post - March 26th, 2024 [March 26th, 2024]
- Rep. Mike Gallagher to resign in April, narrowing House GOP vote margin to 1 - The Washington Post - March 26th, 2024 [March 26th, 2024]
- Some Republicans who supported Nikki Haley are still refusing to back Donald Trump - Firstpost - March 26th, 2024 [March 26th, 2024]
- North Dakota Republicans will caucus on the eve of Super Tuesday. Here is what to expect - The Associated Press - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Michigan Republicans chart their path forward after months of disarray - USA TODAY - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Analysis | A fifth of Trump supporters think he committed a serious crime - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Opinion | Democracy is imperiled globally. Republicans aren't helping. - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Murphy: For Donald Trump And The Republicans, The Border Is Just A Moneymaking Grievance Machine That They ... - Senator Chris Murphy - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- In Georgia, Republicans and Democrats line up to run for office - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Republicans Who Like Putin - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- GOP life-at-conception bill scrutinized after Alabama IVF ruling - The Dallas Morning News - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Senate Republicans Block Murray and Duckworth Bill to Protect IVF After Flurry of Republican Statements Expressing ... - Senator Patty Murray - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley Defeats Trump in 2024 Washington, D.C., GOP Primary - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Republicans Nod to Trump's Influence in Race to Succeed McConnell - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Haley Is Still Struggling to Deal With Trump's Grip on Their Party - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Washington, D.C. Republican Primary Election 2024: Live Results - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- These two Republicans endorsed in dozens of Texas House races. One put his money where his mouth is. - KUT - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- The anti-voucher House Republicans spared from Abbotts wrath - The Texas Tribune - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Ukraine's troops are rationing ammunition. Yet House Republicans plan to take weeks to mull more aid - The Associated Press - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- In Texas races, Gov. Abbott targets fellow Republicans who oppose vouchers - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Alaska Republicans head to the polls Tuesday with Trump, Haley and Ramaswamy on the ballot Alaska Beacon - Alaska Beacon - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Here's What's in the Bipartisan Spending Bill to Prevent a Partial Shutdown - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Trump Ballot Eligibility Ruling Elicits Mixed Reactions Ahead of Super Tuesday - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- 'Embarrassment': Republicans hit Austin hard during tense hearing over his hospitalization - POLITICO - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Republicans want earmarks for their districts but vote against spending bills - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- On Israel, Trump Is Even Worse Than Biden - The Intercept - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Alabama IVF ruling leaves Republicans stuck between their base and the broader public - The Guardian US - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Analysis | Hunter Biden gives House Republicans the rebuttal they didn't want - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Reflecting Congressional divisions over U.S. involvement with Ukraine, Republicans are more reluctant than ... - AP-NORC - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Murphy says Republicans want the border to be a mess - The Hill - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- 2 Republicans vie to take on vulnerable Democrat in November - Spectrum News - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Senate Republican Blocks Bill to Protect I.V.F. Treatment - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- The Idaho Republican Presidential Caucus is Saturday. Here's what to know. Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Ignoring Warnings, G.O.P. Trumpeted Now-Discredited Allegation Against Biden - The New York Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Biden Calls Republicans in Congress 'Worse' Than Strom Thurmond - The New York Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- N.Y. Republicans Pick a Former Police Detective to Challenge Gillibrand - The New York Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Opinion: MAGA Republicans pushing to impeach President Biden don't seem to notice the egg on their faces - Los Angeles Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Republicans vote to make it harder to amend Missouri Constitution - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Alabama IVF ruling spurs a GOP reckoning on conception bills - Roll Call - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- What's in the House Republican Mississippi Medicaid expansion bill? - Mississippi Today - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Trump Strengthens Grip on Capitol Hill as He Presses Toward Nomination - The New York Times - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Electability is all Democrats discussed in 2020. In 2024, Republicans don't care - NPR - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Trump Forces Terrified Republicans to Bend the Knee Yet Again - The New Republic - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Republicans Roll the Dice on the Border - National Review - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- House Republicans now have one of the smallest majorities in history - NBC News - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Senate Republicans are coming to grips with another Donald Trump nomination - NBC News - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- In States Where Republicans Banned Abortion With No Exception for Rape, Rape Led to 58979 Pregnancies Post-Roe - Vanity Fair - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Why Hochul's budget is a headache for Suozzi - POLITICO - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- After Early Primary Victories, Republicans in Congress Fall in Line Behind Trump - The New York Times - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- New Hampshire exit polls: Republicans were just half of voters in their own primary - Reuters - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]