Ohio’s race for governor could have major implications for the state’s marijuana market, with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton offering voters two notably different public records on cannabis policy.
Ohio voters legalized adult-use marijuana in 2023 with 57% support for Issue 2, and recreational sales began in August 2024. But the market has remained a frequent target of legislative changes, including Senate Bill 56, which took effect in March and made several changes to Ohio’s marijuana law while also restricting intoxicating hemp products.
Ramaswamy’s position has been mixed. During his 2024 presidential campaign, his campaign said he supported federal marijuana legalization, arguing that the conflict between state and federal law creates confusion and undermines the rule of law. In an interview with Bill Maher, Ramaswamy said federal law should be aligned with state law, and when asked whether that meant federal marijuana legalization, he said, “That’s what that means, yeah.”
However, Ramaswamy also said he personally voted against Ohio’s 2023 legalization initiative. Speaking on CNN after Issue 2 passed, he said, “I voted no on that one,” arguing that state legalization while federal prohibition remains in place creates legal confusion. He also objected to marijuana tax revenue being directed to equity programs.
Ramaswamy’s current campaign platform for governor focuses on taxes, energy costs, education, crime and reducing regulations, but it does not include a specific marijuana policy plank. His running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, has defended Senate Bill 56, saying marijuana can still be bought, sold, used and possessed in Ohio, while supporting new rules such as original-packaging requirements.
Acton has not released a detailed marijuana platform either, with her official priorities page focused on affordability, health care, education, workers, corruption and public safety. But she has taken a more direct public stance against recent restrictions on hemp-derived THC beverages, warning in a social media post that Ohio breweries such as Jackie O’s could face felony charges for selling products she said voters legalized.
Acton, a physician and former Ohio Department of Health director, is likely to approach marijuana policy through a public health lens. CityBeat noted last year that Acton had not detailed a cannabis stance, but was expected to take a public health-driven approach. Her campaign has also been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents workers in several industries, including cannabis, though the endorsement focused broadly on labor and affordability issues.
In short, Ramaswamy has supported federal marijuana legalization in principle, but opposed Ohio’s voter-approved legalization measure and is running alongside a key Republican lawmaker who defended recent restrictions. Acton has offered fewer specifics, but has criticized the state’s hemp crackdown and appears more aligned with preserving the voter-approved framework while emphasizing public health and worker protections.
