The folks behind the ResponsibleOhio legalization initiative have introduced their mascot, “Buddie”, a cape-wearing superhero with a green marijuana bud for a head and a “B” logo over a picture of a pot leaf. Its chairman says the phrasing is fair.
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ResponsibleOhio filed a lawsuit against the state Thursday seeking to change the wording of two proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballot in November. In a 40-page complaint, the group claimed the board used prejudicial language, deliberate omissions, and outright falsehoods by Secretary of State Jon Husted (R) and his staff, and that the resulting language is “fatal to the validity of the ballot”.
One ballot issue, which would legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use in Ohio, includes the statement that the amendment would “endow exclusive rights for commercial marijuana growth, cultivation, and extraction to self-designated landowners who own ten predetermined parcels of land” in different counties. “As a result, the ballot language does not properly identify the substance of the proposal to be voted upon and is such as to mislead, deceive or defraud the voters of the state of Ohio”. Douglas argued ResponsibleOhio’s model is not a monopoly because while 10 companies are part of the commercial marijuana growing market, there is no limit on marijuana product manufacturers and no specific number of retail marijuana stores.
Buddie’s most recent stop during was at Bowling Green State University on Wednesday.
Opposing group Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies agreed with Husted and said the ballot language accurately summarizes Issue 3.
But Husted said the word monopoly is the best way to explain what ResponsibleOhio’s proposal would create.
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Jen Detwiler, spokeswoman for rival group Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies, said Buddie was a poor choice of mascot.
