OMA Examines Effort to Legalize Recreational Pot

The OMA this week hosted a virtual members’ meeting to examine the proposed ballot issue to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Ohio. More than 130 members participated.

The meeting coincided with news that the pro-legalization campaign has collected the necessary number of signatures to put the question on the Nov. 7 ballot. If approved by voters, the recreational marijuana law would become effective immediately upon certification.

Key takeaways from the meeting include:

• OMA members who participated overwhelmingly said the legalization effort is a business issue — and that the OMA should oppose the initiative to legalize use of the drug.
• Studies have found the number of marijuana-positive drug tests performed following workplace accidents grew more than 200% from 2012 to 2022, coinciding with a trend of more states legalizing recreational use. OMA Connections Partner Safex noted that more than half of employers that eliminated THC testing reported an increase in incidents or workplace performance concerns.
• Oklahoma and Arkansas voters recently rejected initiatives to legalize recreational use of marijuana, despite large amounts of campaign spending by legalization activists.
• More employers are using new testing technology to identify possible impairment due to marijuana use, while others are implementing new policies to clarify that marijuana use at the workplace is strictly prohibited.

This four-page memo prepared by Bricker Graydon, the OMA’s general counsel, provides analysis of the issue. For questions or concerns, email James Lee, OMA director of Public Policy Services. 8/3/2023