April 1998

Franklin County voters are much more compassionate than state and local politicians on the medical marijuana issue, according to a recent poll conducted by Erney, Busher & Associates. Also, the poll found most are industrial hemp-friendly.

Last December, the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism received a grant from the Drug Policy Foundation and hired Erney and Busher to survey 410 randomized likely voters in Franklin County as part of its hemp education project. Eighty-percent of those questioned said that it was true, or mostly true, that "marijuana relieves pain for very ill patients." Only 20% said that statement was "false." Medical marijuana advocates will no doubt be encouraged by the 71% of those surveyed who said that patients with glaucoma or undergoing chemotherapy "should be able to use it [marijuana] legally."

The poll results suggest the need for increasing industrial hemp awareness, 39% of those surveyed -- when informed that hemp is legally imported from other nations -- favored re-legalizing industrial hemp as an Ohio agricultural crop. A large number, 36%, were "undecided" on the issue, while only 25% "opposed" it.

On March 14, about 75 proponents of the legalization of the industrial use of hemp and medical marijuana gathered at the Statehouse and formed a "human hemp leaf." Their chant, "Hemp, hemp, hooray!" is finding its way into the consciousness of likely voters. One local TV station covering the rally noted that both Washington and Jefferson were hemp farmers.