Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot proposal on Tuesday that would have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana in the Buckeye State.

Despite a $20 million campaign effort to pass a proposed constitutional amendment known as Issue 3, the measure was defeated in a nearly 2 to 1 vote, where 64 percent of state residents voted against it while only 36 percent approved it, reports USA Today.

Issue 3 would have permitted adults 21 years old and older to use, purchase and grow certain amounts of marijuana for recreational or medical purposes. However, even pro-weed supporters say they voted against the marijuana legalization because it included a provision to the Ohio Constitution that would have limited the cultivation of the weed crops to 10 growing sites. Supporters of Issue 3 say the provision would have allowed the state to tightly regulate marijuana. Critics, on the other hand, saw it as a means to monopolize the sale of marijuana. Opponents also pointed out that the growing facilities would be controlled by private investors, leading to a "marijuana monopoly."

"I can't believe I voted 'no' when it was finally on the ballot," said Marty Dvorchak, 62, of Fairfield, according to The Associated Press. "I think it's ridiculous that marijuana is illegal. The war on drugs has been a failure. But I don't think 10 people (growers) should have a monopoly."

Likewise, Curt Steiner, the director of Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies, described Issue 3 as "nothing more and nothing less than a business plan to seize control of the recreational marijuana market in Ohio. Issue 3 was designed and built primarily to garner massive and exclusive profits for a small group of self-selected wealthy investors."

Following the defeat of Issue 3, Republican Gov. John Kasich released a statement applauding Ohioans for voting against it.

"At a time when too many families are being torn apart by drug abuse, Ohioans said no to easy access to drugs and instead chose a path that helps strengthen our families and communities," Kasich said.