BREAKING NEWS

Ohio voters reject measure legalizing recreational marijuana use

CLEVELAND - Ohio voters soundly rejected on Tuesday a measure that would have made it the first US Midwestern state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, local media projections said.
Issue 3, which would have added an amendment to the state constitution that legalizes both the personal and medical use of marijuana for those over 21 years old, was defeated by nearly a two-to-one margin, the projections said.
The measure was criticized for allowing the main backers of the proposal cartel-like powers over the industry in the state for several years, an arrangement that rubbed many voters who supported legalization of the drug the wrong way, analysts said.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican running for US president, said in a statement that he was "proud Ohioans voted no on Issue 3 and instead chose a path that helps strengthen our families and communities."