Ready for Recess
WHAT IS HAPPENING:
Ohio’s 136th General Assembly is attempting to pass regressive legislation that seeks to further empower corporations, recriminalize use and sharing of cannabis, and stifle the will of the voter. Despite legal warnings that this violates it’s own state constitution, and hearing over 75 opponent testimonies, the House Judiciary Committee seeks to vote the bill out of committee by their summer recess which begins after June 26th.
This recess is 10 weeks long, and lasts until September 15th. If SB56 fails to receive enough votes in committee and doesn’t make it to the floor before summer- we will have time to rally.
Possible votes; June 18th and June 25th
Instagram post with more details here
WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW:
Use Ohiohouse.gov to find your state rep and give them a call and use the words below if you need help with your dialogue.
Talk to your friends, neighbors, and fellow community members and let them know what is happening. Chances are, they are overwhelmed by the litany of awful things happening right now. If you help them get informed on something affecting their local community, and ask them to help - you’d be surprised by how good your fellow man can be.
Share this blog post on social media, traditional media, and to others whom you think would care to join our cause or be informed.
This may seem hyperbolic, but right now liberties and freedoms are under attack by all branches of government and at all levels. It is empowering and important to stand up for justice at every level.
If you want to spread some positivity, reach out to any of the following reps whom have made it clear they will not vote on any legislation that does release the portion of taxes set aside for municipalities as voted on in Issue 2.
Rep. Callender (D-57, R)
Rep. Odioso (D-30, R)
Rep. Tims (D-38, D)
Rep. Synenberg (D-21, D)
Rep. Isaacsohn (D-24, D)
Rep. Mohamed (D-3, D)
Use your voice.
It may not always feel like it when legislation passes despite our efforts, however you must remember that every act of communication is a fulfillment of your civic duty. Providing lived experience as personal testimony, contacting elected representatives and educating them on issues important to you, and thanking those who are doing the work the right way is how we properly engage in our systems of democracy. We are allowed to demand better, let them hear you.
WHAT TO SAY:
We want a cannabis industry that is education-based, science-backed and community focused.
We don’t we want recriminalization, we do want level 3 cultivators.
We don’t want dispensary caps, we do want patients rights.
We don’t want DCC control of hemp, we do want workers protections.
We don’t want regulation without education.
We want what we voted for.
Personal Note:
I believe that many of those behind this legislation will attempt to control the narrative of this conversation and question the will of the voters, as they already have. Myself and many others find it insulting when elected officials claim that voters “do not know what they voted for” despite the fact that they have been ignoring correspondence from their own constituents.
This community is full of people who are intelligent, well-spoken, passionate and believe in the capabilities of cannabis. This community is also full of people who are easy to take advantage of, scapegoat, intimidate and silence.
If you would like to amplify our words, and the story of those who will be impacted by this legislation- contact me.
contact.ebthc@gmail.com
(818)351-6318.
-Eric Whited, Founder Education-Based THC
