Ohio Cannabis Ballot Campaign Leaves Signature Gatherers Unpaid

Signature gatherers who worked on an Ohio cannabis ballot initiative say the campaign failed to pay them for their work, leaving some petitioners out thousands of dollars they earned collecting voter signatures.

Lisa Flagella, one of the unpaid petitioners, put it bluntly: "Where's our money? I worked really hard, and I want to be paid in full." Multiple signature collectors told Ohio Capital Journal they either received no payment or only partial compensation for their efforts to get the hemp and marijuana referendum onto November's ballot.

The campaign ultimately failed to qualify for the ballot, but the payment dispute highlights the financial pressures facing grassroots cannabis initiatives—particularly those attempting to compete with well-funded corporate campaigns. Ohio's cannabis policy landscape has been shaped by competing interests, with different groups backing various legalization approaches.

The Campaign's Collapse

The referendum effort sought to put both hemp and marijuana policy changes before Ohio voters this fall. Signature gathering is typically the most expensive component of ballot initiatives, with campaigns paying anywhere from $2 to $10 per valid signature depending on the state and deadline pressures.

Petitioners work as independent contractors, often collecting signatures for multiple campaigns simultaneously. The work involves standing outside stores, at community events, and in high-traffic areas to gather voter support. When campaigns fail to pay, these workers—many of whom rely on petition income—are left without recourse.

The numbers tell the story: ballot initiative campaigns in competitive states regularly spend six or seven figures just on signature collection. When those funds dry up or campaigns mismanage their budgets, the first casualties are often the ground-level workers.

Industry Pattern

This isn't an isolated incident in cannabis politics. Market watchers note that underfunded ballot initiatives have left signature gatherers unpaid in multiple states over the past few years. The pattern often follows a familiar arc: organizers launch ambitious campaigns, hire petitioners, then run out of money before qualifying for the ballot—or before paying their workers.

Ohio voters approved adult-use cannabis legalization in 2023 through a different ballot measure, Issue 2, which was backed by well-funded industry groups. That campaign's success contrasted sharply with several competing efforts that struggled to gain traction or raise sufficient funds.

The distinction matters for the broader industry. Professional campaigns backed by multi-state operators typically have the resources to pay workers and meet filing deadlines. Grassroots efforts, while often proposing more cannabis-friendly policies, frequently lack the financial infrastructure to compete.

What Petitioners Are Owed

While specific dollar amounts weren't disclosed, signature gatherers typically earn between $1.50 and $3.00 per signature in Ohio, depending on the campaign and timing. A productive petitioner might collect 50-100 signatures daily, meaning even a few weeks of unpaid work could represent thousands of dollars in lost income.

The lack of payment also affects future campaigns. Experienced petitioners often choose which initiatives to work for based on a campaign's reputation and payment reliability. Campaigns that stiff their workers find it harder to recruit signature gatherers for future efforts.

What's Next

The petitioners have limited legal options. Most signature gathering contracts classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees, which can complicate wage claims. Small claims court remains an option, but the cost and time investment often exceeds what petitioners are owed.

For Ohio's cannabis industry, the failed campaign and payment controversy underscore the growing divide between well-funded corporate initiatives and grassroots efforts. As the state's legal market develops following last year's legalization vote, that gap is likely to widen further.

The Ohio Secretary of State's office maintains records of ballot initiative campaigns but doesn't oversee payment disputes between campaigns and their contractors. Campaign finance reports, when filed, may eventually reveal how the referendum effort spent its money—or where those funds disappeared.

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This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.