Robert Celt
New Member
One of the political consultants behind last year's campaign against legalizing marijuana in Ohio has been tapped to lead this year's effort to legalize the plant for medical use.
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana announced Monday that Brandon Lynaugh will manage the campaign. Lynaugh is a partner at Columbus-based Republican firm Strategic Public Partners and was one of the "No on 3" campaign managers last year.
Strategic Public Partners had been tapped earlier this year to manage the medical marijuana campaign but backed out. Lynaugh said Monday the campaign wasn't a good fit for the company, but he wanted to work on it separately.
Lynaugh's brother has epilepsy, one of several medical conditions that would qualify a patient to use marijuana. Lynaugh said he knows what it's like to watch a loved one suffer and not be able to help.
"Everyone has a connection with somebody who has one of the debilitating conditions in the amendment," Lynaugh said in an interview. "This is not an issue that leans Democrat or Republican -- we get majority support from Republicans and Democrats and independents."
Who's in charge?
National non-profit Marijuana Policy Project is backing Ohioans for Medical Marijuana. Marijuana Policy Project hired three campaign coordinators from Ohio's activist community earlier this year and announced the rest of its leadership staff Monday:
Lynaugh said that the campaign will be "patient-focused" and "very different from last year."
In November, Ohioans overwhelmingly rejected Issue 3, which would have legalized recreational and medical marijuana sales and use. The measure, pushed by group ResponsibleOhio, would have limited commercial marijuana growing to 10 pre-selected sites owned by campaign investors.
What exactly does the amendment allow?
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana's proposed amendment would allow patients with certain medical conditions to grow, buy, and use marijuana if they have a recommendation from a doctor or other medical professional who is allowed to prescribe controlled substances.
Initially, up to 15 large-scale growing licenses for up to 25,000 square feet would be available with a $500,000 application fee. There would be an unlimited number of licenses available for less than 5,000 square feet of growing space, and the state could decide to offer additional large-scale licenses.
What's next?
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana must collect at least 305,591 signatures of registered Ohio voters by July 6 to qualify for the November ballot. The campaign plans to hire some paid signature collectors.
A fundraising email circulating earlier this month indicated the campaign needed about $256,000 for the signature collecting effort. Lynaugh said Monday that he's confident the campaign will have enough money, but fundraising will be an ongoing effort.
"I've been heartened by the network of patients and their families that have been willing to step forward and collect signatures and donate their time and energy to get us past this first hurdle," Lynaugh said.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Issue 3 Opponent Will Lead Ohio Medical Marijuana Effort
Author: Jackie Borchardt
Contact: Cleveland.com
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Cleveland.com
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana announced Monday that Brandon Lynaugh will manage the campaign. Lynaugh is a partner at Columbus-based Republican firm Strategic Public Partners and was one of the "No on 3" campaign managers last year.
Strategic Public Partners had been tapped earlier this year to manage the medical marijuana campaign but backed out. Lynaugh said Monday the campaign wasn't a good fit for the company, but he wanted to work on it separately.
Lynaugh's brother has epilepsy, one of several medical conditions that would qualify a patient to use marijuana. Lynaugh said he knows what it's like to watch a loved one suffer and not be able to help.
"Everyone has a connection with somebody who has one of the debilitating conditions in the amendment," Lynaugh said in an interview. "This is not an issue that leans Democrat or Republican -- we get majority support from Republicans and Democrats and independents."
Who's in charge?
National non-profit Marijuana Policy Project is backing Ohioans for Medical Marijuana. Marijuana Policy Project hired three campaign coordinators from Ohio's activist community earlier this year and announced the rest of its leadership staff Monday:
- Deputy campaign manager: Trevor Vessels, Republican political operative for candidate and ballot issue campaigns
- Director of communications: Aaron Marshall, former Plain Dealer reporter and writer for Ohio State University President Michael Drake
- Political director: Lee Roberts, a Democratic political operative who has worked for former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman
Lynaugh said that the campaign will be "patient-focused" and "very different from last year."
In November, Ohioans overwhelmingly rejected Issue 3, which would have legalized recreational and medical marijuana sales and use. The measure, pushed by group ResponsibleOhio, would have limited commercial marijuana growing to 10 pre-selected sites owned by campaign investors.
What exactly does the amendment allow?
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana's proposed amendment would allow patients with certain medical conditions to grow, buy, and use marijuana if they have a recommendation from a doctor or other medical professional who is allowed to prescribe controlled substances.
Initially, up to 15 large-scale growing licenses for up to 25,000 square feet would be available with a $500,000 application fee. There would be an unlimited number of licenses available for less than 5,000 square feet of growing space, and the state could decide to offer additional large-scale licenses.
What's next?
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana must collect at least 305,591 signatures of registered Ohio voters by July 6 to qualify for the November ballot. The campaign plans to hire some paid signature collectors.
A fundraising email circulating earlier this month indicated the campaign needed about $256,000 for the signature collecting effort. Lynaugh said Monday that he's confident the campaign will have enough money, but fundraising will be an ongoing effort.
"I've been heartened by the network of patients and their families that have been willing to step forward and collect signatures and donate their time and energy to get us past this first hurdle," Lynaugh said.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Issue 3 Opponent Will Lead Ohio Medical Marijuana Effort
Author: Jackie Borchardt
Contact: Cleveland.com
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Cleveland.com
