Ohioans for Cannabis Choice file petition signatures for referendum on SB 56
Ohioans for Cannabis Choice filed signatures this week for a referendum on SB 56 to say no to re-criminalizing the Cannabis industry and its consumers, no to closing 6,000 small businesses and destroying thousands of jobs, and no to government overreach that is a slap in the face to Ohioans who overwhelmingly voted to support cannabis legalization in 2023.
"In filing our petitions today, we are taking a stand for Ohioans against politicians in Columbus and saying no to the government overreach of SB 56. We're saying no to SB 56 because it re-criminalizes the Cannabis industry. SB 56 is a slap in the face to voters who overwhelmingly voted to legalize cannabis in 2023," said Wesley Bryant, a petitioner and owner of 420 Craft Beverages in Cleveland.
"We're saying no to SB 56 because it goes too far, and has so many unintended consequences. Ohioans oppose re-criminalizing cannabis, for example, making it a crime to grow more than six plants, a crime to have unauthorized paraphernalia, and a crime to buy marijuana in Michigan and bring it home. And this is just the start. Politicians in Columbus won't stop until marijuana and hemp are completely illegal in Ohio again," said Joseph (Joey) Ellwood, a petitioner and hemp farmer in Tuscarawas County.
"There are thousands of workers like me who are going to lose their jobs because SB 56 will close more than 6,000 small businesses across Ohio. It's sad because the cannabis industry, both hemp and marijuana, support legislation that will protect consumers and strengthen Ohio farmers and small businesses. But these out-of-touch politicians are hell bent on re-criminalizing marijuana and hemp products," said Andrew Greene, a petitioner and an employee at a Dayton distribution center.
Ohioans for Cannabis Choice supports proper regulation, testing protocols, age-gating products for those only over 21, proper licensing, and a framework that keeps access while allowing for proper regulation for a successful state model that others will look to follow.
Click here for the referendum petition. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lyurf4p4wwx8t52x8i388/Ohioans-for-Cannab…
Referendum Process
• A referendum is a process to stay a law recently enacted by the General Assembly so that the law may be submitted to the voters for approval or rejection.
• The first stage of the referendum process requires submitting an initial petition signed by at least 1,000 Ohio electors to both the Secretary of State and the Attorney General for certification.
• Along with the signatures, the initial petition contains a title, a summary of the legislation being referred, and a copy of the bill or section of the bill.
• Within 10 business days from submission, the Secretary is required to verify the number of valid signatures and compare the full text of the law or section of the law with the law on file with the office. If there are sufficient signatures and the text is accurate, the Secretary must certify the petition.
• Within 10 business days from submission, the Attorney General is required to conduct an examination to determine if the title and summary are “fair and truthful” representations of the proposed changes to the law. If the Attorney General determines the title and summary are fair and truthful, the Attorney General must certify the petition.
• If either office denies certification, the petition committee may start the process over after making the corrections as needed and collecting another 1,000 signatures.
• Once certification is received from both offices, the petitioners may begin collecting the 248,092 signatures needed to make the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election ballot.
• During this time, the parts of SB 56 subject to the referendum will continue to be stayed (in other words, not go into effect) until the referendum is decided by the voters.