In November 2023, a total of 2,226,399 Ohioans – a shade more then 57% of those who voted on the issue – affirmed State Issue 2, thus inscribing into Ohio law the right, “To commercialize, regulate, legalize, and tax the adult use of cannabis.”

The legal use of recreational marijuana in Ohio became official four and a half weeks later – fittingly,on Dec. 7, adding another reason to refer to that date as a Day of Infamy. Ohio was the 24th, and most recent state to do so. And with that, those voters unleashed a plague on this state that we are only just beginning to experience – but that we will surely come to regret.

It’s time to consider reversing that uninformed and shortsighted decision. Past time, really.

I use those words because most of the facts voters had before casting their ballots was anecdotal – based on their own experiences perhaps long ago, or the gently persuasive urgings of the weed lobby and other proponents of the stuff. Previously, there had not been much research into the potential dangers of cannabis.It was illegal, so there didn’t seem to be much need, and thus too many people went into this consequential decision flying blind.

That lack of research began to change after Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012, leading scientists and health organizations to take a deeper dive into trying to find out just what we were getting ourselves into.

In the intervening years, those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and minds to comprehend have had access to a sobering education. Too many people ignored it … and the tragic irony is that, even as more states are legalizing its recreational use, more research is revealing its dangers:

*Most recently, as an editorial in The Wall Street Journal lamented last week, came a study from the doctors at Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston, showing that the percentage of adolescents with psychiatric emergencies who tested positive for THC (the hallucinogenic substance in marijuana) is four times what it had been before that state legalized weed in 2016.

*The same editorial noted another study, this one from the Journal of the American Medical Association, showing a nationwide surge in young adults arriving in emergency rooms with “cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).” That’s a malady caused by heavy marijuana use resulting in violent, cyclical vomiting, known on social media as “s

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Ohio’s New Law on Artificial Intelligence: What You Need to Know

Ohio has become the first state in the U.S. to enact a complete law regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors. Signed into law on December 14, 2025, the Ohio Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Act (HB 237) aims to establish a legal framework for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, focusing notably on transparency and accountability. This law impacts businesses, government entities, and individuals across the state, and understanding its key provisions is crucial.

Key Provisions of the Ohio AI Law

Transparency Requirements for AI Systems

A central component of the law is the requirement for transparency regarding the use of AI systems. Businesses and government agencies deploying “high-risk” AI systems – defined as those considerably impacting individuals’ rights, opportunities, or safety – must disclose their use to the public. This disclosure includes information about the system’s purpose, how it functions, and the data used to train it. ohio HB 237 details these requirements.

Accountability and Human Oversight

The law emphasizes the importance of human oversight in AI-driven decision-making. While AI systems can automate tasks, critical decisions affecting individuals must be subject to review by a human operator. This provision aims to prevent biased or erroneous outcomes and ensure fairness. The law also establishes a process for individuals to appeal decisions made by AI systems and seek redress if thay believe they have been unfairly impacted.

Data Privacy and Security

HB 237 reinforces existing data privacy laws and extends them to cover data used in AI systems. Organizations must ensure that data used to train and operate AI systems is collected, stored, and used in compliance with applicable privacy regulations, including Ohio’s Data Privacy law. The law also mandates robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches.

AI-Generated Content Disclosure

Ohio’s law addresses the growing concern of AI-generated content, particularly “deepfakes.” The law requires clear and conspicuous disclosure when AI is used to create content that could be mistaken for authentic human expression. This applies to text, images, audio, and video. Failure to disclose AI-generated content could result in legal penalties.

Impact on Different Sectors

Healthcare

In healthcare, the law will likely impact the use of AI in diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. Transparency requirements will be crucial for building trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions. Human oversight will be essential to ensure accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment decisions.

Financial Services

The financial services industry utilizes AI for fraud detection, credit scoring, and algorithmic trading. The law will require financial institutions to demonstrate fairness and transparency in their AI-powered systems, particularly in lending and credit decisions. the Ohio Department of Financial Institutions will play a role in overseeing compliance.

Criminal Justice

The use of AI in predictive policing and risk assessment tools has raised concerns about bias and discrimination. Ohio’s law aims to address these concerns by requiring transparency and accountability in the use of AI in the criminal justice system. Human review of AI-generated risk assessments will be mandatory.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office will be responsible for enforcing the AI law. Violations of the law could result in fines, injunctions, and other legal remedies. The law also establishes a private right of action, allowing individuals harmed by AI systems to sue for damages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What constitutes a “high-risk” AI system?

A high-risk AI system is defined as one that significantly impacts an individual’s rights, opportunities, or safety. Examples include systems used in healthcare, financial services, employment, and criminal justice.

Does this law apply to all AI systems?

No, the law primarily focuses on high-risk AI systems. However, the disclosure requirements for AI-generated content apply more broadly.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, injunctions, and private lawsuits for damages.

Key Takeaways