Marijuana legalization 2015: Ohio approves pot wording

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The wording for the ballot of marijuana legalization in Ohio has been approved by the Ohio Ballot Board. According to Fox 8, the five-member board gathered on Tuesday to discuss the language placed in the ballot.

Other than the wording of the ballot, the Ohio board also discussed the explanations, summary and arguments that will appear in newspapers before the Nov. 3 election.

The main phrasing of the marijuana ballot drew the most attention at the meeting, since some of the terms used were thought to be misleading by some of the members, reports Fox 8.

However, discussions aside, the board did finalize the lineup of the issues addressed in the ballot. The following is the lineup in order:

Issue 1: The redistricting proposal

Issue 2: The anti-monopoly or cartel measure

Issues 3: The Marijuana Legalization Initiative

The first issue will redefine how Ohio House and Senate districts are divided, from a partisan process to a bipartisan process. According to the official written explanation, issue one covers the topic of districts and how they will be run. There is no mention of marijuana in the first issue.

Meanwhile, the second ballot issue will prevent any form of monopoly, oligopoly or cartel, presumably referring to the sale of products containing marijuana. However, the term "marijuana" is not mentioned in the official statement for Issue 2, meaning it could apply to all product sales.

Lastly, Issue 3 directly mentions marijuana and the drug's use and distribution process. Apparently, only self-designated landowners will be allowed to grow, cultivate or extract the plant in certain counties.

The written version of Issue 3 also discusses the age limit for marijuana use and other restrictions, such as purchase, packaging and transport of the drug.

While the Ohio Ballot Board has approved the wording of the said ballot, one group, named Responsible Ohio, feels that it still needs a bit of rephrasing.

According to WLWT 5, members of Responsible Ohio do not feel that the wording of the ballot gives fair representation for the legalization of marijuana. The group specifically has a problem with the phrasing of Issue 3, which they feel shows clear bias and preference for those against marijuana use.

Jennifer Redman, spokesperson for the group, has announced that Responsible Ohio will take its concerns about the ballot to the Ohio Supreme Court.

"I think it's important to fight for the truth, to have fair and honest wording go on the ballot for the summary so voters know what to expect in November," said Redman.