Ohio pro-pot group's superhero mascot draws criticism

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- An Ohio group supporting marijuana legalization is under fire from critics who say the group's new superhero mascot appeals to children.

ResponsibleOhio, a group supporting the state's Proposal 3 to legalize marijuana for adults over the age of 21, recently unveiled the superhero mascot, dubbed Buddie, with pictures on Facebook.

Buddie features a green marijuana bud for a head and a superhero suit complete with a cape, six-pack abs, and a "B" logo over a picture of a marijuana leaf.

Nick Lashutka, president of the Ohio Children's Hospital Association, accused the group of marketing marijuana to children.

"I have four kids and if any of them were to see this, they would draw a conclusion that it's OK," Lashutka told Cleveland.com.

Jen Detwiler, spokeswoman for rival group Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies, said Buddie was a poor choice of mascot.

"ResponsibleOhio has placed a lot of emphasis on the 21 and over piece of their amendment but then comes out with a mascot styled after a superhero?" Detwiler said. "It's a pretty shameless attempt to entice young people."

ResponsibleOhio spokeswoman Faith Oltman said Buddie will only visit college campuses as part of the group's "Green Rush Bus Tour" to promote "Buddie's 21 and Up Club," a social media campaign aiming to "engage millennial voters in the process in a new, creative and exciting way."