Election Day: November 6, 2018 

Early Voting: October 10, 2018 

We surveyed candidates seeking seats in both the Ohio House and Senate.
These are the candidates who want to represent you at the capitol in Columbus.
Answers have been unedited.

ohiocannabisactivistnetwork.com
 Here are the five questions we asked candidates for Ohio House and Senate:

1. H.R.2642 - Agricultural Act of 2014 (Sec. 7606) Authorizes an institution of higher education or a state department
of agriculture to cultivate industrial hemp if: cultivated for purposes of research under an agricultural pilot program
or other agricultural or academic research, and allowed under the laws of the state in which the institution or
department is located and the research occurs. Since 2014, 34 states have passed legislation allowing for hemp
research pilot programs and of those states, 16 are allowed to grow hemp for commercial purposes. Do you
support or oppose changing Ohio state law to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp?

2. Do you agree or disagree that states should be able to carry out their own marijuana policies without interference
from the federal government?

3. Do you support or oppose changing state law to allow adults 21 and older to possess limited amounts of marijuana
and establishing a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol? Under such a system, it
would remain illegal to consume marijuana in public and drive under the influence of marijuana.

4. If an amendment to H.B.523 were proposed that would allow patients and/or caregivers to grow a limited amount of
plants in their home, would you support or oppose the amendment?

5. If introduced, would you oppose a Bill and/or Resolution that would make the citizen ballot initiative process more
difficult than it already is?

Thank you for your interest in reforming cannabis laws in Ohio!

Please feel free to share this voter guide far and wide.
 

ohiocannabisactivistnetwork.com
 
 
Table of Contents 
 

Section I: Candidate Responses

Section II: Non Responsive Candidates*

*These candidates declined to respond to our questionnaire. We strongly recommend that you contact
them to find out their stance on cannabis and hemp legalization. ​If you are interested in contacting a non
responsive candidate running for office in your district(s), please reach out to us at
ohiocannabisactivistnetwork@gmail.com​. You will be provided with a form email and the candidate’s
contact information.

ohiocannabisactivistnetwork.com
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Scott Wiggam
Party: Republican
Incumbent: Yes
Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “YES, we should also allow for
patients on Probation/Parole to use recommended medication like

✔ ✔ ✖ ✔ ✔
House Colorado. We are fighting this in Ohio Appeals Court right now,
District Arizona Supreme Court ruled it’s a civil right that cannot be denied,
01 Michigan had a similar case that became moot.”
Name: Kevin Barnet
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “I support the legalization of
marijuana. I believe it would be a great opportunity to use supposedly
one "old problem" to fix a very real new problem. Once legalized,
marijuana can be regulated and taxed. The new state tax revenue can

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House be used for new drug treatment centers and initiatives. Which would
District also cut down on our non-violent drug related prison population and
01 help fight our opioid epidemic.”
Name: John Dyce
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “Yes. We also need a review

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House process to remove non-violent marijuana possession-only charges that
District have been imposed in the past that still impact people's livelihoods
05 today.”
Name: Jim Trakas
Party: Republican
Incumbent: Yes
Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “I WOULD NOT BE INCLINED TO
SUPPORT THAT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEDICAL GRADE
PRODUCTS THAT HAVE TO BE GROWN TO SPECIFICATIONS.
ALLOWING THAT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR STATE
INSPECTORS TO ASSURE THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT.
LET'S FIRST SEE HOW THIS PROCESS WORKS BEFORE WE
MAKE THIS TYPE OF A CHANGE. I HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE

✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✔
House POTENCY OF TODAY'S MARIJUANA, WHAT CHEMICALS ARE OR
District CAN BE USED TO ENHANCE THE PRODUCT AND CREATE
06 DANGER FOR THE USER.”
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Aziz Ahmad

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Party: Democrat
District Incumbent: No
07 Comments: None
Name: Cassimir Svigelj
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Hemp - “The 2014 Farm bill opened up opportunity for
rural states with plenty of farmland to invest in a booming industry. I

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House would be a strong advocate for Ohio legalization and would like to see
District Ohio State’s Agricultural Sciences program become a national leader
16 in research on the benefits of hemp and marijuana.”
Name: David Leland

➖
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✖ ✔
House Incumbent: Yes
District Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “Depends on the system--
22 States treat the sale of alcohol in different ways”
Name: Christine Fisher
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - "We ought to explore new
marijuana policies, but we must keep the public safety in mind and
ensure safe, responsible use of these products. Marijuana should be

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol, and age regulations may be
District appropriate. Safe execution and reasonable oversight of the
27 introduction of these products will ensure successful integration."
Name: Carrie Davis
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Incumbent: No
District Comments: Ballot Initiative - “I would oppose legislation to interfere
29 with increasing hurdles to a citizen ballot issue.”
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Clayton Adams
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “I support regulating marijuana
similarly to how we regulate alcohol. It makes since that only adults 21
and older can only purchase and possess marijuana. Additionally, it
should be illegal for individuals to drive under the influence of
marijuana. I believe the taxation of marijuana can help Ohio with many

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House of its budget shortfall problems and it can be a way to generate new
District tax revenue. Additionally, the legalization of marijuana would free up
30 resources within local law enforcement.”
Name: Bill Seitz
Party: Republican

✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
House Incumbent: Yes
District Comments: Ballot Initiative - “Yes, I would support such a resolution.
30 It is FAR too easy now.”
Name: Catherine Ingram
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Incumbent: Yes
District Comments: “I would vote to expunge all records of individuals
32 incarcerated for weed violations up to a certain amount.”
Name: Zach Dickerson
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “Fully agree. Like California
District and Colorado, we should legalize it and tax it. Medically speaking,
42 marijuana is a safer drug than alcohol and it should be legalized.”
Name: Lorraine Wilburn
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Incumbent: No
District Comments: Ballot Initiative - “I would never support a bill that makes
48 it more difficult for citizens to have a say or impact on the process.”
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Kathy Wyenandt
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “I would support this change in

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House state law. Ohio is in desperate need of new revenue streams,
District particularly for public education and transit. I see no reason that
52 marijuana should not be legalized and thus, regulated and taxed.”
Name: Rebecca Howard
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “This is another common sense
District approach that is already working well in states such as Michigan. I
53 would wholeheartedly support this amendment.”
Name: Kelly Kraus Mencke
Party: Democrat

➖
Incumbent: No

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “Considering some strong
District positions that alcohol policy needs attention, I support research to find
55 a better policy to allow for the possession and use of marijuana.”
Name: Don Manning
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Comments: Ballot Initiative - “I am neutral. I would have to see the

➖
proposed bill, first. It is not a difficult process to do, now. The hardest

✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
House part is obtaining the required amount of qualified signatures, which is
District the same process for anyone who runs for political office. I certainly
59 wouldn’t want to make the process harder, and it’s pretty simple, now.”
Name: Jeff Richards

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Party: Democrat
District Incumbent: No
66 Comments: None
Name: Kathleen Tate

➖
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Incumbent: No
District Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “I would probably support it, but I
68 couldn't say definitely until I have read the amendment.”
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Jeremy Blake

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Party: Democrat
District Incumbent: No
71 Comments: None
Name: Tyler Shipley
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Comments: Hemp - “I completely support allowing the cultivation of
District industrial hemp and would gladly propose or cosponsor legislation to
72 do such.”
Name: Randi Clites
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “I would support legislation that
would allow patients and/or caregivers to grow a limited amount of
plants in their home for medical purposes. Because of my background
as a healthcare advocate, I believe that alternative pain management

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House and homeopathic treatment options should be available to the
District chronically ill population of Ohio. We must put patients first in the
75 decisions made around healthcare options.”
Name: John Kennedy
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “I would support this amendment

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House to allow patients and/or caregivers to grow a limited amount of plants
District in their homes (similar to what Colorado currently allows for this
76 purpose).”
Name: Amber Daniels

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Party: Democrat
District Incumbent: No
78 Comments: None
Name: Joseph Monbeck
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Comments: Ballot Initiative - “I will always support legislation that
District makes democracy easier for everyone, including but not limited to
84 making citizen ballot initiatives easier to approve.”
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Glen Coble
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Incumbent: No
District Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “Patients and care givers should
86 be allowed to grow a limited amount of marijuana in their homes.”
Name: Joe Helle
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Comments: HB 523 Home Grow - “I would support this amendment.
District More appropriately, I would propose the amendment myself if given
89 the opportunity.”
Name: Beth Workman

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Party: Democrat
District Incumbent: No
92 Comments: None
Name: Jack Cera

➖
Party: Democrat

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
House Incumbent: Yes
District Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “I want to see the Medical
96 System up and running in Ohio first.”
Name: Kristine Geis
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “I might support a change in
law after sufficient research and data has been gathered to show that
the effects of marijuana is similar to that of alcohol. That it is non-

➖ ➖
hazardous in moderation and will not cause severe or permanent brain

✔ ✔ ✔
House or body damage or undo addiction. If marijuana shows to be a low
District level drug like alcohol, nicotine, etc then there should be room for
97 regulation with the public's safety in mind.”

Name: Thomas Chandler

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Senate Party: Republican
District Incumbent: No
9 Comments: None
Section I: Candidate Responses (Key) ✖ = Oppose ✔ = Support ➖ = Neutral

Legal
States’ Market for HB 523 Ballot
Office Sought Candidate Information HEMP Rights Adults Home Grow Initiative
Name: Adam VanHo
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Comments: Legal Market for Adults - “I support letting Ohio voters

➖
have a clean yes-or-no ballot measure. If passed, which I believe it

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Senate would, I would want to see tax revenues go towards combating opiate
District and other drug addictions, as well as be used for law enforcement and
27 educational purposes.”
Section II: Non Responsive Candidates
Ohio House I = Incumbent Ohio Senate I = Incumbent
District Candidate Party District Candidate Party
2 Lane Winters D 1 Adam Papin D
2 Mark Romanchuk I R 1 Robert McColley I R
4 Robert R. Cupp I R 3 Tina Maharath D
Anne Gonzales
3 Theresa Gavarone I R 3 Current Rep R
4 Tristan Cheeseman D 5 Paul Bradley D
Steve Huffman
5 Tim Ginter I R 5 Current Rep R
7 Phil Robinson D 7 Sara Bitter D
7 Thomas Patton I R 7 Steve Wilson I R
8 Kent Smith I D 9 Cecil Thomas I D
Teresa Fedor
9 Janine Boyd I D 11 Current Rep D
10 Terrence Upchurch D 11 Ernest McCarthy R
Nathan Manning
11 Stephanie Howse I D 13 Current Rep R
Hearcel Craig
12 Juanita Brent D 15 Current Rep D
13 Jay Carson R 15 Jordan Garcea R
13 Michael Skindell D 17 Bob Peterson I R
14 Bride Rose Sweeney D 19 Louise Valentine D
Andrew Brenner
15 Nicholas J. Celebrezze I D 19 Current Rep R
16 David Greenspan I R 19 David Cox G
17 Adam Miller I D 21 Sandra Williams I D
17 John Rush R 23 Nickie Antonio D
18 David Todd R 25 Kenny Yuko I D
Section II: Non Responsive Candidates
Ohio House I = Incumbent Ohio Senate I = Incumbent
District Candidate Party District Candidate Party
19 Mary Lightbody D 25 Bob Murphy R
Kristina Roegner
20 Richard Brown I D 27 Current Rep R
Kirk Schuring
21 Beth Liston D 29 Current Rep R
21 Stu Harris R 31 Jay Hottlinger I R
John Boccieri
23 Laura Lanese I R 33 Current Rep D
23 Russell Harris D 33 Michael Rulli R
24 Allison Russo D
25 Bernadine Kent I D
26 Erica Crawley D
26 Shareeque Arife Sadiq R
27 Tom Brinkman I R
28 Jessica Miranda D
28 Jonathan Dever I R
29 Louis Blessing I R
31 Brigid Kelly I D
32 Marilyn Tunnat R
33 Sedrick Denson D
34 Emilia Sykes I D
35 Kevin Fay G
36 Timothy Piatt D
37 Casey Weinstein D
37 Mike Rasor R
38 Elliot Kolkovich D
Section II: Non Responsive Candidates
Ohio House I = Incumbent Ohio Senate I = Incumbent
District Candidate Party District Candidate Party
39 Fred Strahorn I D
40 Ryan Taylor D
41 Jim Butler I R
41 John McManus D
42 Niraj Antani I R
43 Jeffrey Todd Smith R
43 Dan Foley D
44 Paula Hicks-Hudson D
45 David Davenport R
46 Michael Sheehy I D
47 Gary Newnham D
47 Derek Merrin I R
Scott Oelslager
48 Current State Senator R
49 Tom West I D
50 Cassie Gabelt D
50 Reggie Stoltzfus I R
51 Susan Vaughn D
51 Sara Carruthers R
52 George Lang I R
53 Candice Keller I R
56 Joe Miller D
56 Rob Weber R
57 Dick Stein I R
57 James Johnson D
58 Michelle Lepore-Hagan I D
Section II: Non Responsive Candidates
Ohio House I = Incumbent Ohio Senate I = Incumbent
District Candidate Party District Candidate Party
59 Eric Ungaro D
60 John Rogers I D
61 Rick Walker D
61 Jamie Callender R
62 Scott Lipps I R
62 Jim Staton D
63 Glenn Holmes I D
63 Jim A Hughes R
64 Martha Yoder R
65 John Becker I R
65 Patricia Lawrence D
66 Doug Green I R
67 Cory Hoffman D
69 Steve Hambley I R
69 Carol Brenstuhl D
70 Steven Johnson D
70 Darrell Kick I R
71 Scott Ryan I R
72 Larry Householder I R
73 Kim McCarthy D
73 Rick Perales I R
74 Bill Dean I R
74 Anne Gorman D
75 Jim Lutz R
76 Sarah LaTourette I R
77 Tim Schaffer I R
Section II: Non Responsive Candidates
Ohio House I = Incumbent Ohio Senate I = Incumbent
District Candidate Party District Candidate Party
77 Brett Pransky D
78 Ron Hood I R
79 Kyle Koehler I R
79 Amanda Finfrock D
80 Jena Powell R
81 James Hoops I R
81 Janet Breneman D
83 Jon Cross R
84 Susan Manchester R
85 Garrett Baldwin D
85 Nino Vitale I R
87 Riordan McClain I R
87 Mary Pierce-Broadwater D
88 Rachel Crooks D
88 Bill Reineke I R
89 Steve Arndt I R
90 Adrienne Buckler D
90 Brian Baldridge R
91 Shane Wilkin R
92 Gary Scherer I R
93 Ryan Smith I R
93 Jim Rumley D
94 Jay Edwards I R
94 Taylor Sappington D
95 Dan Milleson D
95 Don Jones R
Section II: Non Responsive Candidates
Ohio House I = Incumbent Ohio Senate I = Incumbent
District Candidate Party District Candidate Party
96 Bob Mazeroski R
97 Brian Hill I R
98 Jeremiah Johnson D
99 John Patterson I D
99 Michael Pircio R