Ohio Says No to Marijuana Monopoly


Ohio Right to Life Lauds Defeat of Issue 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       CONTACT: Katherine Franklin
DATE: Tuesday, November 3, 2015     PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, Ohio voters rejected Issue 3, the marijuana-monopoly-legalization amendment on the November 3 ballot. Ohio Right to Life heralded the vote as a success for Ohio infants, born and unborn, as studies show that smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature births, developmental delays, behavioral and learning problems. 

“For multiple elections now, Ohio has proven itself to be a mid-western state with traditional values,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “Ohio voters have decided to prioritize the lives and dignity of the human person over the special interests of an unfettered marijuana industry. Instead of charging forward towards legalization at any cost, Ohio voters put the breaks on a reckless strategy that could have sweeping implications for the most vulnerable among us.”  

Issue 3 would have allowed access to marijuana without any restrictions during pregnancy. As Ohio continues to address its infant mortality crisis, the Ohio Right to Life Society believes that it is critical for all Ohioans to take a stand against the mass legalization of a drug that poses serious health risks to unborn children. The Ohio Right to Life Society joined multiple organizations in opposing Issue 3: Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Ohio Hospital Association, Ohio Nurses Association, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, Catholic Conference of Ohio, and more.

“Ohio Right to Life has always believed in protecting human beings across the whole spectrum of life, from direct and indirect harms alike,” said Gonidakis. “We believe wholeheartedly that building a culture of life requires compassionate and careful thought towards minimizing harms to innocent human life. We’re encouraged to see Ohioans applying such careful, critical thought to Issue 3 and putting the breaks on the mass legalization of marijuana.”

Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.
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