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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

Of course, the ACLU of Ohio does not support people driving intoxicated. We simply think the best tests are those that measure actual impairment of drivers, not some essentially arbitrary amount of THC in one's system. So, SB 55 is not perfect. But it is worthy of support. 7/7

Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

And we are in good company. As pointed out in my testimony, entities such as the Congressional Research Service, the US Dept of Transportation & the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (among others) all agree about the problems with blood & urine tests for cannabis. 6/7

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

SB 55 changes things by allowing people to challenge in court whether they were actually impaired. It also ups the limits re: THC in one's body. The ACLU of Ohio would like to see SB 55 further changed to abandon blood & urine tests. They are unscientific, unfair & outdated. 5/7

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

Even worse, Ohio is a "per se" state. That means if you test positive for X amount of THC then you are violating Ohio's OVI laws. Period. No proof of actual impairment needed. PLUS, attorneys cannot challenge this in court, arguing their client was not, in fact, impaired. 4/7

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

As many know, cannabis users can and do develop higher tolerances to that substance. So, a test for X amount of THC in one's system does not mean the driver is intoxicated. In fact, it may have been days or weeks since they last used cannabis. Ohio law does not reflect that. 3/7

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

In Ohio (& other states), we currently target OVI re: cannabis the same way as alcohol via testing the blood or urine of a person alleged to be driving while intoxicated. The problem is alcohol and cannabis are two completely different substances with different effects. 2/7

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 7d

Multiple things competing for my time kept me from testifying in person today on SB 55. But, I was able to submit written testimony. SB 55 is a positive bill from Sen. Manning(R) to help modernize Ohio's DUI/OVI laws re: cannabis. This change is long overdue & much needed. 1/7

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 8d

If you’re in Columbus & want to know more about a police shooting and/or death, other use of force incident, or numerous other important info, it’s now hidden behind a paywall, courtesy of politicians at the Statehouse who loath govt transparency.
www.wosu.org/politics-gov...

Columbus Division of Police now charges $37 per hour to process video records requests

Starting Tuesday, the Columbus Division of Police's public records office charges hourly to redact and process body-worn camera and police cruiser video for records requests.

www.wosu.org

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 12d

Nothin' to see here. Just one of the most corrupt legislatures in the US torching public records laws so you can't see what they do behind closed doors via a change to state law they jammed into a budget bill at the last minute, after hearings were over.
www.cleveland.com/news/2025/09...

Ohio lawmakers’ texts, emails blocked from public scrutiny under new secrecy law

Beginning Monday, Ohioans no longer will be able to just demand access to Ohio lawmakers’ text messages and emails between each other and their staff as a new exemption in state public-records law tak...

www.cleveland.com

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 19d

Furthering the ongoing contempt for Ohio voters & our state constitution, next week is the first hearing for HB 347, an "informed consent" anti-abortion bill. HB 347 requires a bunch of unnecessary and duplicative actions before abortions can be performed.
#StatehouseTheocracy

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 29d

Cincinnati is poised to spend an additional almost $1 million on various surveillance technologies with ZERO city laws (the Statehouse remains asleep at the wheel) governing their use & preventing widespread, non-stop surveillance now or in the future.
www.wvxu.org/local-news/2...

Cincinnati poised to spend an additional $5.4M on public safety

Cincinnati Council's Budget and Finance Committee Monday voted to approve the funding for police overtime, new technology like police drones, and public outreach efforts including curfew centers for y...

www.wvxu.org

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Sep 3

As baby boomers age, death with dignity is understandably reemerging as a public policy & civil liberties issue. As before, politicians think they know better & rob people of the ability to end their lives on their own terms w/o unnecessary suffering & pain.
www.dispatch.com/story/opinio...

I am dying. My wife will watch my labored breathing, anguish. We deserve better | Opinion

I don’t want to suffer needlessly, and I don’t want my wife and friends to witness any more of that suffering than they already have.

www.dispatch.com

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Sep 2

133 Ohio state legislators remain unbothered enough by serious privacy & government surveillance concerns to introduce (let alone pass) commonsense legislation regulating law enforcement use of drones & similar technology. Ohio is the wild west re: this.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...

As central Ohio law enforcement adds drones, civil liberties experts worry about abuse

At least 1,400 police departments across the country currently have a drone program. But critics say the technology isn't regulated enough.

www.dispatch.com

Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Aug 21

Deliberately lying about current events to normalize military troops occupying cities to enforce local & state laws, especially with zero training in domestic law enforcement & no knowledge of those laws, is the exact opposite of civil liberties.
www.cincinnati.com/story/news/p...

'Political theater:' Activists call on Gov. Mike DeWine to not send National Guard to D.C.

As the Ohio National Guard departs for Washington, D.C., Democrats and activists called on Gov. Mike DeWine to reverse his decision.

www.cincinnati.com

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Aug 19

Ohio does not have a sentencing database because too many Ohio judges hate transparency & are frightened of accountability. The fact Ohioans are so in the dark about what our courts/judges do should absolutely be a campaign issue no matter who proposes it.
signalcleveland.org/vivek-ramasw...

Vivek Ramaswamy considers reviving Ohio sentencing database

Vivek Ramaswamy floated reviving the database, which was a key issue in the 2022 Ohio Supreme Court races, during a recent campaign event.

signalcleveland.org

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Aug 14

Two things The Man loathes the most & seeks to avoid almost 100% of the time:

1) Transparency
2) Accountability

Ohio Capital Journal @ohiocapitaljournal.com · Aug 14

The records are contracts and memoranda between the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Marshal’s Service and the Department of Homeland Security.

Another Ohio sheriff's office is sued for not turning over ICE records • Ohio Capital Journal

The ACLU is suing two sheriff's offices for not turning over ICE contracts with the federal government.

ohiocapitaljournal.com

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Aug 7

That Ohio's legal cannabis market is struggling relative to some other states is no surprise. Ohio officials & legislators have been deliberate roadblocks to a robust, affordable market place. Yet they do everything in their power for legal gambling.
www.wosu.org/2025-08-06/1...

A year after launch, Ohio's recreational marijuana sales have been a slow burn

Sales recently topped $700 million, but local retailers say they're expecting an even bigger uptick when state regulators finalize rules for what products customers can purchase.

www.wosu.org

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Aug 4

Your occasional reminder Ohio legislators could pass statewide, common sense regulations to protect us against this ever growing & prevalent use of invasive technology by law enforcement & government....but they 100% refuse to do anything helpful re: it.
woub.org/2025/07/31/p...

Police in southeast Ohio are touting the benefits of using drones while the ACLU calls for laws to govern their use

Law enforcement agencies across southeast Ohio are increasingly turning to drones—not just for search and rescue.

woub.org

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jul 30

Unable & unwilling to address actual & serious problems facing Ohioans & Ohio, the Statehouse supermajority will not rest until everyone is pushed back into the closet, key thrown away. Their agenda is not help, it is hate.
www.nbc4i.com/news/politic...

Ohio GOP lawmakers eye override of budget veto to restrict LGBTQ+ library books

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio Republican lawmakers are eyeing an override of Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a measure requiring public libraries to limit access to books related to sexual or…

www.nbc4i.com

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jul 9

Among numerous other problems, this definition & the "contemporary examples" it utilizes frames any/all criticism of Israel for any/all reasons as unlawful discrimination against Jewish Ohioans. Antisemitism is unacceptable. But censoring & banning speech is not the answer. 2/2

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jul 9

Today, I am testifying (virtually) before the Ohio Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights re: antisemitism in Ohio. My remarks will be limited to ongoing state government attempts to further adopt a sweeping definition of "antisemitism" impacting free speech. 1/2

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jun 25

These docs/info will be available after the legislative session is over aka after the damage is done. Legislators supporting these changes will frame the delay as a reasonable compromise. It is not. It's an ongoing assault on your right to know & accountability. More to come! 6/6

Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jun 25

Such info provides key insights into the creation of bills, what is being considered, how legislators arrive at decisions, when a bill/amendment is forthcoming, and so much more. Which is exactly why cynical politicians seek to slam these doors shut. They HATE transparency. 5/6

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jun 25

This includes, but is not limited to - draft bills & amendments, emails to other legislators re: current & future bills, summaries of bills prepped by staff for legislators, memos, analysis & much more. This ensures Ohioans will have far less info about how the OGA operates. 4/6

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · Jun 25

No longer public record will be key legislative documents created & possessed by legislators & their staff. More specifically, this change targets information & correspondence directed at & shared with other legislators & their staff about future & pending legislation. 3/6

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