In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss a new Republican-backed bill to legalize marijuana for anyone over 21. State Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) joins the show.
Legal Greens
Most believe it’s a matter of when not if Ohio legalizes recreational marijuana. Eighteen states, including neighboring Michigan, have fully legalized marijuana. There is a lot of money to be made and taxed, and there is a looming ballot question that could force lawmakers' hands if voters approve it.
Voters rejected a proposed legalization amendment 6 years ago.
Now a pair of Republican lawmakers propose legalizing marijuana for anyone over 21.
Republican State Reps Jamie Callender and Ron Ferguson are proposing a bill that would make recreational marijuana legal for adults 21 and over. It would build upon the current medical marijuana system,and the state would tax sales at 10%.
Mandate Exemptions On Hold
Last Spring, Lawmakers voted to restrict Governor DeWine’s ability to issue health orders, so you’d think they’d be able to get enough votes to severely limit vaccine mandates.
The latest proposal would allow for exemptions to any vaccine mandate imposed by a private company or school.
The exemptions were for medical or religious reasons or natural immunity from COVID-19. But once again, Republican leaders in the Ohio House are shelving the bill saying there is no consensus on how to move forward.
Snollygoster Of The Week
Last week, we noted that while Idaho Governor Brad Little was in Texas for the border security news conference, his lieutenant governor Janice McGeachin took over and ordered the Idaho National Guard to the US-Mexico border. She also expanded Gov. Little’s executive order banning vaccine passports.
We incorrectly admonished Lt. Gov. McGeachin for ignoring her civics class. In fact, she was completely in the right, at least according to the Idaho constitution. The Idaho constitution allows the lieutenant governor to take control if the governor is out of state.
So for her legal power grab, Lt. Gov. McGeachin gets our Snollygoster of the Week award. We apologize for not reading the Idaho constitution as carefully as she did.
Send questions and comments to snollygoster@wosu.org.