Buckeye Reporter

The Ohio Business Roundtable (OBRT) has officially announced its opposition to Issue 2, a proposed law set for the November 7 ballot in Ohio that would legalize recreational marijuana use and retail sales. The OBRT Executive Committee voted to join a coalition against this measure.

The committee's discussions highlighted concerns about the potential negative effects of legalization on youth, workplace safety, crime rates, and impaired driving. These issues have been observed in other states where recreational marijuana is legal.

Frank Sullivan, Chairman of the Ohio Business Roundtable and CEO of RPM International Inc., expressed these concerns: "Medical marijuana is already readily available in Ohio and an expansion to recreational use would have detrimental impacts on children’s health, community safety, and workforce development. The negative consequences other states have suffered from legalization are clear. Ohio’s economy is on a roll, and we continue to be a prime destination for new job creation, chiefly because of our people. Issue 2 puts Ohioans at risk and the Ohio Business Roundtable opposes its passage."

This stance aligns with OBRT's previous position when it opposed a similar initiative in 2015.