Critics of recreational marijuana often sound the alarm about people driving while high.
Now, the debate is heating up in Ohio.
Voters will decide Nov. 7 whether to support Issue 2, which would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older and establish rules for buying, selling and growing cannabis. Proponents say regulation would put the illicit market out of business and bring millions of dollars in tax revenue to Ohio, instead of letting Michigan reap the fiscal benefits.
Live event:How to go and get your questions answered at marijuana issue forum near Columbus
But Gov. Mike DeWine and other GOP leaders contend it will have an adverse effect on the state’s culture and make people more willing to drive under the influence of marijuana.
Here’s what voters need to know about the proposal, marijuana OVIs and more.
What does Issue 2 say about driving with marijuana?
The proposed statute bars people from driving a car, bike, boat or airplane while impaired by marijuana. Passengers would be prohibited from smoking or vaping in the vehicle. The state’s current OVI laws would apply to anyone who violates those rules.
To request a field sobriety test, police must have “an independent, factual basis giving reasonable suspicion” that the person is driving under the influence or has too much marijuana in their system. The legal use of adult cannabis alone would not be enough to justify a sobriety test or to suspend someone’s license.
How many marijuana OVIs is Ohio seeing now?
The number of…
