Ohio Governor Candidates Reveal Cannabis Positions — But Ramaswamy’s Remains Unclear

Ohio Governor Candidates Reveal Cannabis Positions

Ohio cannabis policy is once again becoming a major political issue as the 2026 race for governor heats up. According to reporting published by cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer, Democratic nominee Amy Acton and Libertarian nominee Don Kissick both say they would preserve Ohio’s voter-approved adult-use marijuana law if elected governor. Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has not provided the publication with detailed answers about what his administration would do with Ohio's marijuana and intoxicating-hemp laws.

Ohio Voters Legalized Cannabis

In November 2023, more than 57% of Ohio voters approved Issue 2, making recreational marijuana legal for adults 21 and older. Since then, lawmakers have continued debating and changing portions of Ohio's cannabis laws. The next governor could have substantial influence over legislation, state cannabis regulators, taxation, home grow, dispensary policy, impaired-driving laws and intoxicating hemp products.

Amy Acton: Keep Adult-Use Marijuana Legal

Acton's campaign told cleveland.com that she intends to respect the decision Ohio voters made in 2023 and preserve legal recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older. Her campaign also said she supports maintaining Ohio's current 10% marijuana excise tax. Acton has opposed efforts to broadly prohibit intoxicating hemp products and supports regulating them with testing, safety standards and age restrictions.

Don Kissick: Legal Cannabis With Additional Reforms

Libertarian candidate Don Kissick also says Ohio should respect the 2023 vote and keep recreational marijuana legal. He supports changing Ohio's marijuana OVI laws so prosecutors would have to demonstrate actual impairment rather than relying solely on THC concentrations in blood or urine. Kissick also supports sealing or expunging records involving marijuana-related conduct that is now legal, reviewing licensing restrictions for small businesses, and potentially lowering the 10% excise tax after legitimate regulatory costs are covered.

Vivek Ramaswamy: Questions Remain

According to cleveland.com, Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign did not respond to the publication's questions about marijuana and hemp policy. During his 2023 presidential campaign, his campaign reportedly said he favored federal marijuana legalization. However, Ramaswamy voted against Ohio Issue 2 in November 2023, arguing that state legalization while federal prohibition remains creates conflicts in the law. What those positions would mean for cannabis policy under a Ramaswamy administration remains unanswered.

Hemp Could Be Just as Important

Ohio's battle over hemp-derived THC beverages and other intoxicating hemp products is increasingly important for consumers, farmers, retailers, breweries and cannabis businesses. State restrictions, federal changes and ongoing litigation mean Ohio's next governor could inherit major decisions concerning where these products can be sold, who can manufacture them, how they are tested and regulated, and whether adults will continue having legal access.

Ohio Cannabis Live Will Keep Asking the Questions

Ohio Cannabis Live believes Ohioans deserve clear information about cannabis policy from every candidate seeking public office. We aren't here to tell you who to vote for. We're here to make sure Ohio's cannabis community knows what candidates say, what lawmakers actually do, and how those decisions could affect consumers, patients, home growers, businesses and the broader Ohio cannabis community.

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Source: Reporting by Jeremy Pelzer, The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com, “Ohio governor candidates roll out marijuana stances, except Ramaswamy,” published Aug. 9, 2026 and updated Aug. 12, 2026. This article summarizes and discusses that reporting for news and commentary purposes. Ohio Cannabis Live is not affiliated with cleveland.com or The Plain Dealer.