Ohio Marijuana Referendum Petitioners Report Unpaid Wages After Signature Drive Falls Short

A group of petitioners who worked on Ohio's high-profile marijuana and hemp referendum campaign are demanding payment for signatures collected, claiming they were left unpaid or only partially compensated for their efforts. The campaign, aimed at overturning recent legislative changes to Ohio's adult-use marijuana law, failed to secure enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. As a result, many professional petitioners say they are still waiting for wages promised at $9 per valid signature, with some individuals stating they are owed thousands of dollars

Lisa Flagella, Amanda Ward, and several other petitioners have voiced frustration over not receiving payment, despite significant efforts and personal expenses incurred during the drive. "Where's our money? I worked really hard, and I want to be paid in full," said Flagella, who collected over 1,000 signatures in just ten days. Thomas Miller and Pat Manning, two other petitioners, reported only partial payments, while others say they were abruptly told to stop work and have since struggled to recover their contracts or verify the validity of their submissions

According to Dennis Williard, spokesperson for Ohioans for Cannabis Choice, the campaign halted paid signature collection after reassessing the number of signatures already gathered and leaning on a grassroots network of unpaid volunteers. The campaign reportedly had more than 5,000 supporters and businesses pledging to assist, but ultimately fell short of the 248,092 signatures required to reach the ballot, collecting around 208,000 according to testimony from Mark Fashian. The legal changes targeted by the referendum included reducing allowable THC levels in cannabis extracts and flower, and banning certain hemp-derived products

The dispute over unpaid wages has led to formal demand letters from petitioners to key campaign consultants and subcontractors, including Arno Petition Consultant and Ohio Petitioning Partners. Pam Lauter, owner of Ohio Petitioning Partners, confirmed she had not been paid either, calling the campaign "the biggest debacle I have ever been involved with." Larry Laws, a veteran petition organizer, expressed skepticism that outstanding payments would ever be made, stating, "If it hasn't happened by now, it's not going to happen."

Petitioners described working in difficult conditions, sometimes traveling long distances or working in freezing temperatures, only to be left without the promised compensation. Amanda Ward, who collected about 100 signatures, said, "It's very frustrating. I felt like I put myself out there for nothing." The experience has left many seasoned petitioners disillusioned, with some noting it was the first time in decades they were not paid for their work. Despite repeated attempts to contact campaign leaders and consultants, many say their concerns remain unaddressed

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this situation underscores the operational and ethical challenges that can arise in grassroots cannabis policy campaigns, especially when financial resources fall short. As Ohio's cannabis industry continues to evolve under new regulations, ensuring fair labor practices and transparent campaign management will be critical for sustaining public trust and effective advocacy. This episode is a cautionary tale for future ballot initiatives and industry fundraising efforts