Marijuana as an Emerging Political Issue- Change Coming?

On Tuesday, Ohio rejected changing their marijuana laws. Yet, Hillary Clinton is calling to re-classify marijuana from a Schedule I Drug to a Schedule II Drug.

“I do support the use of medical marijuana,” Clinton said to a predominantly African American audience at a town hall meeting at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. “And I think even there we need to do a lot more research so that we know exactly how we’re going to help people for whom medical marijuana provides relief.

“I want to move from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 so researchers can research what’s the best way to use it, dosage, how does it work with other medications," she added.

Why is she doing this? I mean, marijuana lost at the ballot box in the all-important swing-state of Ohio. I have a few thoughts on why-

1. This was pushed too fast. While polling suggests marijuana decriminalization is popular, polling and elections aren't quite the same yet. Especially elections in odd number years. The electorate in Ohio was not representative of what it will be next year. Next year's electorate might have passed this. 
2. Medical marijuana has more support than legalized marijuana in general. Hillary advocating for medicinal marijuana is more popular for her than calling for full legalization.
3. Amongst the voter groups that Hillary Clinton needs more turnout from, marijuana legalization is popular. For her to move towards that position gradually over the next year is smart.

In ten years, the public will be fully supportive of marijuana legalization. Maybe even sooner. They aren't ready to vote for that, in an odd number year, yet. Clinton is playing to her base, and playing the long game. If you view the issue that way, the Ohio vote isn't a game-changer.