Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Cincinnati's influence on the push to legalize marijuana in Ohio this year grew Tuesday when former state Sen. Eric Kearney announced that he will serve as a senior advisor to the ResponsibleOhio campaign.
"The issue of marijuana legalization is one all Ohioans should take seriously," Kearney said in a statement. "As a former legislator, I know that our state government is not ready to act on this important issue. Ohioans are being unjustly punished for using marijuana, while patients do not have access to medical marijuana for treatment. It's time we reform this failed prohibition, and I'm proud to be part of the effort to do so."
Lydia Bolander, spokeswoman for the legalization campaign, said Tuesday that Kearney is now a paid member of the campaign. She declined to specify his salary.
"He has a unique professional background that is something that will be incredibly useful to us, not just in southwest Ohio but in other parts of the state as well," Bolander said. "A lot of contacts in the campaign thought it would be a good idea of approach him about helping with community organizing."
Tuesday's announcement of his new job with ResponsibleOhio is the first time that Kearney has taken a public position on marijuana legalization in his long political career.
Kearney represented Ohio's 9th Senate district in Cincinnati and was the chamber's minority leader until November, when he was barred from running for re-election by term limits. He was briefly a candidate for lieutenant governor last year until reports surfaced that he owed the IRS back taxes. Kearney said he was paying down the debt.
Kearney joins a growing group of Cincinnati leaders, including former Bearcat Oscar Robertson and philanthropist Barbara Gould, who are investing or guiding the effort to persuade Ohio voters to fully legalize marijuana. ResponsibleOhio says it has collected more than 370,000 signatures to put its proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. The group aims to collect at least twice that number to ensure it has the required 305,591 signatures.
Ian James, the executive director of ResponsibleOhio, said Tuesday that Kearney "has been a leader in the community and a fighter for social justice, education and Ohio's working families. His expertise will be an asset to the campaign and I look forward to working with him."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Kearney jumps aboard marijuana legalization train
Author: Anne Saker
Contact: asaker@enquirer.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Cincinnati Enquirer
"The issue of marijuana legalization is one all Ohioans should take seriously," Kearney said in a statement. "As a former legislator, I know that our state government is not ready to act on this important issue. Ohioans are being unjustly punished for using marijuana, while patients do not have access to medical marijuana for treatment. It's time we reform this failed prohibition, and I'm proud to be part of the effort to do so."
Lydia Bolander, spokeswoman for the legalization campaign, said Tuesday that Kearney is now a paid member of the campaign. She declined to specify his salary.
"He has a unique professional background that is something that will be incredibly useful to us, not just in southwest Ohio but in other parts of the state as well," Bolander said. "A lot of contacts in the campaign thought it would be a good idea of approach him about helping with community organizing."
Tuesday's announcement of his new job with ResponsibleOhio is the first time that Kearney has taken a public position on marijuana legalization in his long political career.
Kearney represented Ohio's 9th Senate district in Cincinnati and was the chamber's minority leader until November, when he was barred from running for re-election by term limits. He was briefly a candidate for lieutenant governor last year until reports surfaced that he owed the IRS back taxes. Kearney said he was paying down the debt.
Kearney joins a growing group of Cincinnati leaders, including former Bearcat Oscar Robertson and philanthropist Barbara Gould, who are investing or guiding the effort to persuade Ohio voters to fully legalize marijuana. ResponsibleOhio says it has collected more than 370,000 signatures to put its proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. The group aims to collect at least twice that number to ensure it has the required 305,591 signatures.
Ian James, the executive director of ResponsibleOhio, said Tuesday that Kearney "has been a leader in the community and a fighter for social justice, education and Ohio's working families. His expertise will be an asset to the campaign and I look forward to working with him."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Kearney jumps aboard marijuana legalization train
Author: Anne Saker
Contact: asaker@enquirer.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Cincinnati Enquirer
