Last updated : December 23, 2024
After initial efforts to place a measure before voters failed, an Ohio marijuana legalization group finally succeeded. ResponsibleOhio collected enough signatures to put a measure on this November 3rd’s ballot. The marijuana legalization constitutional amendment will be included in the elections this fall as Issue 3. If Ohio votes in favor of the amendment, they will be the fifth state to “legalize” marijuana, and the first state to do so without having a program already in place for medical marijuana.
ResponsibleOhio is a group that claims they are compromised of business professionals, those in the medical field, and patient advocates who want to see marijuana legalized in the Buckeye State. The group claims that marijuana prohibition has failed and that Ohio spends 200 million dollars a year in an effort to fight use; money that, in the eyes of those with ResponsibleOhio, would be better spent elsewhere. Those critical of the measure cite the same data that proponents continue to ignore, proving that marijuana use is dangerous.
If enough people vote “yes” on Issue 3, anyone over the age of 21 would be free to use and buy marijuana in 2016 according to the state. It would be taxed at 15 percent, with 55 percent of those taxes staying within the state. It will still be illegal for citizens of Ohio to drive or operate machinery while under the influence of marijuana, and the substance cannot be consumed in public. Employers will still be free to test for marijuana use if they choose to do so.
While Issue 3 would allow a wide variety of people to sell marijuana, the product could only be produced at ten grow sites. These ten grow sites are all owned by the same group of majority investors that are involved with ResponsibleOhio. Even for some of those supportive of the legislation, this part of the measure is of great concern, certainly casting doubt on the motives of the group. For those who want to grow their marijuana at home, the amendment would make it possible for anyone over 21-years-old to grow plants with the use of a license.
Earlier in the year, ResponsibleOhio fell short when they were unable to get enough signatures on their petition. The state of Ohio specifies that there must be enough signatures to represent 5-percent of the state’s voting population and must include names from 44 of the state’s 88 counties. While the first effort of ResponsibleOhio gathered signatures from 77 counties, they were unable to reach the 305,591 valid signatures needed and were accused of fraud. This second time, however, the group achieved success after a 2.5 million dollar outreach that collected 320,267 signatures.
With Issue 3 slated for vote this fall, Ohio residents will start to see sides campaign in earnest. ResponsibleOhio plans to hit the public with a 20 million dollar push that includes advertising and efforts encouraging supporters to register to vote. ReponsibleOhio has already released an advertisement featuring a former Cincinnati Police official who speaks out in support of Issue 3. Meanwhile, those who stand against Issue 3 will try to inform the public of the dangers of marijuana and the way that legalization could harm children, and convince Ohioans that legalization is just a way for the rich to keep getting richer at the expense of Ohio citizens’ well-being.
