On Nov. 7, Ohioans will decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational adult use, following 23 states. Before you vote, you may want to know: Is it safe? How much money could it bring to state coffers? Will it change life here? Reporters Gretchen Cuda Kroen and Laura Hancock dug into research. It's hard to evaluate the health effects of marijuana. Because it was illegal, it was poorly studied. And its chemical composition and dosage are not standardized. When used correctly, experts say marijuana can reduce inflammation, diminish pain, calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and act as a safer substitute for the much more dangerous opioids. But smoking weed can be harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system. If you’ve driven through Michigan lately, you’ve seen the countless billboards advertising marijuana businesses. In its most recent fiscal year, the state collected more than $400 million in taxes on marijuana after sales hit $1.8 billion in 2022. Ohio could be next. - Laura |
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If voters pass Issue 2 on Nov. 7, Ohio will become the 24th state to legalize marijuana for adult use. (David Dermer, Associated Press file photo) |
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Legalized marijuana: Twenty-three states already have approved marijuana for recreational use, offering a trove of information to help understand what it could mean for Ohio. Laura Hancock looks at data from nearby Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Oregon, as well as California, the largest marijuana market in the U.S., to illuminate what the future might hold for Ohio if Issue 2 passes. Health effects: Does the consumption of cannabis really pose serious health risks? The many cannabinoids molecules that come from the cannabis plant mimic those the body makes naturally, and using them as medicine isn’t any more unusual than any of the other pharmaceuticals that originally were isolated from plants, experts say. But cannabis readily absorbs pollutants, heavy metals and pesticides from the environment, so where your cannabis comes from, who grows it, and how, really matters. So does how you ingest the drug, Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports. Issue 38: Debate continues to rage over Issue 38, Cleveland’s proposed participatory budgeting charter amendment, as backers and opponents alike trade barbs and work to convince voters that the model either empowers residents and improves civic engagement or imperils the city’s carefully balanced general fund. Meanwhile, Courtney Astolfi reports, statehouse Republicans appear to be working quickly to ban participatory budgeting outright. Superior Boys: For months, robbery after robbery unfolded in much the same way: Gun-wielding thieves, driving in a dark-colored Honda, would block drivers, rob them and bolt before the victims knew what had happened, reports Cory Shaffer. They called themselves the Superior Boys, a gang that authorities say terrified residents with violent attacks across Cuyahoga County for months. Police and analysts worked together until they caught a break that enabled them to charge a handful of members earlier this year. Today in Ohio: Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost took the unprecedented step of offering thoughts on the legal ramifications of a pair of high-profile, controversial ballot measures in November. On Today in Ohio, we’re talking about the legal analysis of State Issue 1, which would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, and a similar analysis of State Issue 2, which would change Ohio law to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years old and over. |
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Forbes Under 30: Forbes flagship Under 30 Summit in Cleveland this week features a venerable who’s who of “young entrepreneurs, revolutionaries and trailblazers,” including Grammy-winning artists Bad Bunny, Halsey and Cleveland’s own Machine Gun Kelly, model/businesswoman Kendall Jenner, actor/author Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute from “The Office”), and comedian Matt Rife, reports Peter Chakerian. |
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Ford layoffs: The UAW strike that started three weeks ago did not grow to include any more auto plants on Friday, but more workers in Greater Cleveland will be laid off in the aftermath of the strike. Sean McDonnell reports Ford will lay off workers at the Cleveland Engine Plant in Brook Park. Manufacturing: Like many manufacturing states in the United States, Ohio has seen a downturn in available manufacturing jobs over the last couple of decades. But Zachary Smith reports manufacturing is still one of the state’s top industries in the state, responsible for 17.9% of Ohio’s private industries’ gross domestic product. |
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Train crime: FBI agents on Friday arrested a Cleveland man on federal charges that accuse him of trying to cause a train derailment by wedging metal and spikes on tracks and track switches used mostly by Amtrak’s commuter line. Adam Ferrise reports Joseph Findley, 43, is charged in federal court in Cleveland with terrorist attacks against railroad carriers. Teen suspect: A 17-year-old boy surrendered to authorities Thursday, hours after officials sought the public’s help to end an unusually violent crime spree, reports Olivia Mitchell. In an extraordinary move, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley and U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott requested assistance, telling reporters that the youth was involved in at least three shootings in a span of five weeks. |
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Pupusas: Pupusas are griddled corn discs, made out of cornmeal four and filled with items like meat, cheese, and beans before they’re slightly browned. Pupusas are to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras what arepas are to Colombia and Venezuela, and Alex Darus lists six Latin American restaurants that feature pupusas on their menus. Forbes list: Forbes has released its popular 30 Under 30 list for 2023, but for the first time, they’ve also released a complete list to honor 30 young Cleveland-based entrepreneurs. Of the finalists, several Cleveland-area food and beverage business owners were recognized for their outstanding feats in the industry, reports Alex Darus. House of the Week: Located in the exclusive gated community of Barrington Estates along a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Aurora, a 2003-built house has five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. Called a “Frank Lloyd Wright lover’s dream,” the home is priced at $2.15 million, reports Joey Morona. |
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Man found guilty of shooting that killed 1, wounded another in Cuyahoga Falls Read more Two people shot to death at Bedford Heights restaurant, police say Read more North Ridgeville City Council appoints Toth to Ward 2 seat Read more Omni Senior Living proposes mixed-use development in Orange Read more Shaker Heights going green on City Hall parking lot; pool fee hike not too deep Read more |
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