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OHIO — The Ohio Department of Commerce (ODOC) and the OneOhio Recovery Foundation are pushing for more statewide education about the risks of marijuana.
The entities are funding a $20 million statewide campaign to better educate the public.
The campaign follows statewide polling showing marijuana use has increased across Ohio, which has resulted in a declining perception of the risks involved with the use of marijuana, according to ODOC and OneOhio.
The campaign will target prospective mothers, youth and Ohio’s workforce.
“Since my first day in office, combating addiction and protecting the health of Ohio families has been a top priority for our administration,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “With non-medical marijuana now legal in Ohio, it’s more important than ever that Ohioans—especially young people and mothers—have access to accurate information and understand the real consequences of use.”
The initiative will focus most of its time on maternal health and expanded efforts centered on youth prevention.
“As we recognize Maternal Health Awareness Month in May, we are preparing to launch a campaign that meets moms-to-be with information they can trust,” OneOhio Recovery Foundation Executive Director Alisha Nelson said. “Our goal is to help expectant mothers understand the risks of marijuana use during pregnancy, encourage open conversations with healthcare providers, and connect families with resources to support healthy decisions.”
Its largest investment will be intended to curtail youth marijuana use.
“We’re seeing growing misconceptions about the risks associated with marijuana, and this campaign responds directly to what the research is telling us,” said Nelson. “Too many people underestimate those risks, especially for young people and during pregnancy. This effort is about ensuring Ohioans have clear, accurate information to protect their health and make informed decisions to safeguard their futures.”