Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Monday announced a statewide marijuana risk awareness campaign run by the Department of Commerce (DOC) with $20 million in state-appropriated funds, partnering with the OneOhio Recovery Foundation—the same organization whose own polling shows most Ohioans view cannabis as safe.
A survey by Public Opinion Strategies of 2,000 Ohio adults from February 23–March 1 (±2.5 point margin of error) found 60% of Ohioans believe legalization "has been good for local communities," versus 17% who disagreed; 53% said their community would benefit if more adults used marijuana regularly. Overall, 41% of Ohio adults reported using cannabis, including 56% of those under 55. Men reported use at 49%, women at 34%. Usage was similar across education levels: 42% of high school graduates, 39% with some college, 43% of college graduates. Big-city residents were about twice as likely to use marijuana (69%) as rural residents (35%).
On safety perceptions: 62% of Ohioans called cannabis "a relatively innocent drug that poses few risks to users," a view shared by 81% of current users; 59% considered recreational use safe; 67% said legality has made use more socially acceptable; and 68% of current users agreed "using marijuana poses very little risk to my health."
"Since my first day in office, combating addiction and protecting the health of Ohio families has been a top priority for our administration," DeWine said. "With non-medical marijuana now legal in Ohio, it's more important than ever that Ohioans—especially young people and mothers—have access to accurate information and understand the real consequences of use."
The campaign's first phase, launching this summer, will focus on maternal health risks, followed by youth-focused messaging through paid media, community partnerships, and on-the-ground outreach. Executive Director Alisha Nelson said the foundation is "seeing growing misconceptions about the risks associated with marijuana, and this campaign responds directly to what the research is telling us."
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation was created to distribute 55% of Ohio's pharmaceutical-industry opioid settlement funds; its board includes appointees of the governor, attorney general, and legislative leaders.
Separately, a recently enacted Ohio law undermining certain marijuana rules under the state's voter-approved legalization statute, along with regulations on intoxicating hemp cannabinoid products, continues to be challenged by cannabis businesses in court.
