ONEOHIO BOARD ADVANCES WORK ON STATEWIDE CANNABIS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Directors also recognize Mental Health Month, elect new leadership and review long-term investment strategy
COLUMBUS, OH – Directors of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation held their May public board meeting Wednesday, recognizing Mental Health Month, electing new board leadership, and reviewing the research and strategy behind Ohio’s newly announced statewide cannabis-risk education campaign.
In partnership with the State of Ohio and supported by $20 million appropriated in the current operating budget, the campaign—which will focus on youth, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, and Ohio’s workforce—will provide Ohioans with clear, science-based information as cannabis and cannabis products become more available, visible and socially accepted. Directors focused much of the meeting on research, planning tools and implementation strategies designed to ensure the effort is targeted, credible and effective.
OneOhio Executive Director Alisha Nelson said the campaign reflects the Foundation’s broader mission to support prevention, education and community-based solutions that help Ohioans make healthy decisions.
“As cannabis becomes more available and socially accepted, public education becomes even more essential,” Nelson said. “Ohio families need clear information from trusted voices when they are making decisions that affect their health, their future and their communities. This campaign is about helping Ohioans understand the risks and access facts that can help them make informed decisions for themselves and their families.”
Aimee Shadwick, the Foundation’s Director of Operations and Communications, updated directors on the campaign’s development and current status. Board members also heard from campaign partner, Public Opinion Strategies, on pregnancy-focused research, including polling and focus group insights shaping the campaign.
Research presented by Public Opinion Strategies showed cannabis use is increasing in Ohio while perceptions of risk are declining, especially around youth use and use during pregnancy. Polling commissioned by the OneOhio Recovery Foundation found that 41% of Ohioans report currently using cannabis, up from 35% in 2024, and more than two-thirds say cannabis has become more socially acceptable since legalization. The research also found that 51% of surveyed women who are pregnant or hope to become pregnant report using cannabis, underscoring the need for targeted, supportive public education.
In other business, and as part of the Foundation’s Biennial Meeting, the Board elected new officers and Executive Committee members:
Julie Ehemann, Region 15 representative, Chair
Don Mason, Region 12 representative, Immediate Past Chair
Keith Hochadel, Region 6 representative, Vice Chair
Greta Mayer, Region 14 representative, Secretary
Michael Roizen, statewide representative, Treasurer
Rachel Baker, statewide representative, At-Large Executive Committee Member
James “Jim” White, statewide representative, At-Large Executive Committee Member
Chair Don Mason, who presided over his final meeting before becoming Immediate Past Chair, thanked directors, regional leaders, staff and community partners for their continued commitment to the Foundation’s mission.
“Serving as the Foundation’s chair has been a privilege because this board has stayed focused on the mission Ohio’s leaders gave us: turning settlement dollars into prevention, treatment, recovery and resilience,” Mason said. “As I move into the role of Immediate Past Chair, I am proud of the progress made and confident this new leadership team will continue to act with transparency, discipline and urgency for communities in every region of Ohio.”
Earlier in the meeting, Mason also recognized Director Larry Kidd, who announced he will be stepping down from the board after four years of service, as well as Region 2 Director Dee Stone, who has replaced Denise Driehaus on the board.
In recognition of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to ensure settlement dollars are invested appropriately and impactfully, the Board also heard a presentation on spending policy, long-term investment strategy and governance considerations involved in managing settlement funds for both immediate and future needs.
More details about future board meetings will be announced at a later date.
To learn more about the Foundation’s work and sign up for important updates, visit the OneOhio Recovery Foundation website.
