We did it! The outstanding mail-in and provisional ballots are not nearly enough to alter the result, so it looks like it ends up passing with around 56%. The numbers I saw indicate that it passed by a slightly larger margin than the issue one abortion and reproductive care measure, which I don't think was predicted.
This law will take effect in 30 days, although no prosecutor who values their time would bother charging anyone with something that will be legal next month, so we're as good as free to carry and grow. Given that this was not a constitutional amendment however, means that the jokers at the state house in Columbus can ignore the will of the people and do with it as they may. An outright repeal is looking unlikely but they're already talking about diverting funding from the equity fund to policing and jails, which is comically stupid. the 10% tax rate is also on the table, and implementation will take time since rules for retail and licensing still need to be written.
I, for one, am ecstatic about this. It will be so nice to not feel the nervousness that driving with even a tiny quantity induces in me. And finally having the right to grow at home without the threat of being thrown in jail or losing my house to civil forfeiture feels pretty damn good. As conservative as Ohio has become with regard to statewide elections, it's nice to know that we're not completely dominated by extreme right wing politicians. Looking at the county by county results, there were even a few more rural counties where Issue 2 passed and Issue 1 failed, and some of the margins were closer even where the majority voted no. The people have spoken, and there is clear, widespread support for legal marijuana throughout Ohio.
Welcome to the 21st century, Ohio.