Ohio Officials Launch Public Education Campaign on Marijuana Risks Amid Widespread Support for Legalization
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced a new public education campaign highlighting the risks of marijuana use, despite a recent poll showing that most Ohioans believe the drug is “safe” and “acceptable.” The campaign, which will be overseen by the Department of Commerce (DOC) and supported by $20 million in funding, aims to provide accurate information about the potential health and safety risks of marijuana use, particularly among young people and mothers.
The poll, conducted by the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, found that 60% of Ohioans believe that legalization has been good for local communities, while 53% think that their community would be better off if more adults used marijuana regularly. The survey also revealed that 41% of Ohio adults have used marijuana in some form, with 56% of those under 55 years old reporting consumption.
According to the poll, 62% of Ohioans believe that marijuana is a “relatively innocent drug that poses few risks to users,” while 59% believe that recreational marijuana use is safe. Additionally, 81% of current marijuana users agreed that marijuana is a “relatively innocent drug.”
Despite these findings, the DeWine administration is moving forward with the public education campaign, which will focus on promoting information about the health risks of using marijuana, particularly in the context of maternal health. The campaign will also expand to promote awareness around marijuana and youth, with paid media, community partnerships, and “on-the-ground outreach” coordinated by the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.
The foundation’s executive director, Alisha Nelson, stated that the organization is “seeing growing misconceptions about the risks associated with marijuana” and that the campaign aims to ensure that Ohioans have clear, accurate information to protect their health and make informed decisions.
The campaign is set to launch this summer, with a focus on maternal health awareness in May. The DeWine administration is partnering with the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to deliver the message, which will be disseminated through a variety of channels, including paid media, community partnerships, and “on-the-ground outreach.”
