Posted on 11/03/2015 5:17:24 AM PST by xzins
Published: November 1, 2015 12:00AM
Ohio voters have an opportunity to legalize marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, while licensing its commercial sale on a statewide basis.
They also will decide whether commercial monopolies should be denied a place in the state constitution.
And should they pass both issues on the November ballot, one will nullify the other.
That's the story on Issue 2, which deals with commercial monopolies, among other things, and Issue 3, the controversial initiative that would legalize marijuana.
If Issue 2 passes, the marijuana issue cannot be implemented even if it, too, receives a mandate.
Upon close scrutiny, both issues leave us with reservations. And, for that reason, we recommend a "No" vote on Issue 2 and Issue 3.
Issue 2 supporters present it as a straightforward measure that would prohibit the Ohio Constitution from creating monopolies or cartels, such as the one proposed by Issue 3, which would limit commercial marijuana growing to 10 specific sites.
We could support Issue 2 if it was that simple, but it isn't. The measure received hasty consideration by the legislature in its rush to come up with a response to the marijuana initiative, and perhaps because of that, contains potential loopholes that are troubling.
Issue 2 is broadly worded, with a reference to prohibiting the constitution from conferring preferential treatment on any "special interest, privilege, benefit, right, or license," but fails to define those terms. As one observer noted, one person's special interest is another person's public interest.
Passage of Issue 2 could hobble future citizen-initiated ballot measures and likely would spur further legal challenges, perhaps starting immediately if both issues happen to pass in November.
Our reservations with Issue 3 have less to do with marijuana and more to do with its monopoly aspect.
The merits of whether marijuana should be legalized in Ohio are debatable. The case could be made for strictly regulated medicinal use on a prescription basis, but we continue to question opening the door to it being freely used and privately cultivated for recreational purposes. And, while Issue 3's provisions only apply to Ohioans age 21 and over, the potential for abuse by younger users remains. We also have reservations about legalizing storefront marijuana "dispensaries."
We are most troubled by the monopoly aspect of Issue 3. If it passes, 10 large-scale marijuana growers would have the exclusive right to grow marijuana for commercial sale in Ohio. Their ability to do so would be enshrined in the state's basic document of governance, to the exclusion of smaller, agricultural interests. Any attempt to change this would require another constitutional amendment.
Not surprisingly, those who stand to benefit from the lucrative market for commercial marijuana have contributed heavily to the campaign for Issue 3.
Monopolies don't belong in the Ohio Constitution, and creating legal loopholes in the process of keeping them out isn't the answer, either. We urge a "No" vote on Issues 2 and 3.
It legalizes marijuana for 10 rich people to grow. In other words, Ohioans will be voting to make rich people from all over the owners of a marijuana cartel in Ohio.
Absolutely amazing that this train wreck of deception made it onto a state ballot.
So, some day they might come up with a bill that makes medical marijuana available in pharmacies and with prescriptions...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Some day they might come up with a bill that makes landowners exempt from huge losses if someone (an individual or nature) grows some pot on their land...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Some day they might come up with a bill that exempts people growing a few plants for personal consumption...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Some day they might come up with a bill that gets the government out of the "war on drugs"...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Don't be duped by the "medical marijuana" commercials. That's not what this bill is about. This bill is about giving a monopoly to an extremely small group of people so THEY can legally OWN the pot business in Ohio.
Talk about cynical and self-serving elitism. This is it in spades.
Even if a person were in favor of legalizing marijuana, this is not the bill that does that, DESPITE it’s claim to legalize marijuana.
It legalizes marijuana for 10 rich people to grow. In other words, Ohioans will be voting to make rich people from all over the owners of a marijuana cartel in Ohio.
Absolutely amazing that this train wreck of deception made it onto a state ballot.
So, some day they might come up with a bill that makes medical marijuana available in pharmacies and with prescriptions...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Some day they might come up with a bill that makes landowners exempt from huge losses if someone (an individual or nature) grows some pot on their land...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Some day they might come up with a bill that exempts people growing a few plants for personal consumption...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Some day they might come up with a bill that gets the government out of the “war on drugs”...but THIS Issue 3 is not it.
Don’t be duped by the “medical marijuana” commercials. That’s not what this bill is about. This bill is about giving a monopoly to an extremely small group of people so THEY can legally OWN the pot business in Ohio.
Talk about cynical and self-serving elitism. This is it in spades.
ping
Today is election day. Vote No on Issue 3.
My personal opinion is to vote YES on Issue 2. I don’t see a problem with a state constitution forbidding the state from enacting monopolies for the benefit of elite private citizens. It’s not much different than issuing them titles of royalty.
The Liberaltarians will all be on board because illegal marijuana is the source of all government overreach. Right here on FR I’ve seen posts (too many to count) saying “legalize it and tax the heck out of it.
Here’s my take on it. Ban government first. Big government + legal marijuana/crack/meth/etc. = anarchy.
I thought one of the big selling points of legalizing MJ was to kill off drug cartels, which in my mind doesn't really happen with excessive regulation and taxes. So, in the end, it's all about the Benjamins.
Vote today
Ohio Ping
fwiw, you and I are the only ones thinking that way, yes on 2 and no on 3. With the willing participation of the courts, connected big business interests are already out of control in OH. I could envision an unintended consequence of yes on 2 being to rein in those cozy relationships.
Voted Yes 2, No 3; Done.
Exactly. Ohio is the cronyist of all crony states. Enshrining that in our constitution, honestly, is the same as issuing titles of royalty.
Good job, CRR. Let’s hope others in Ohio see through this BS.
The big money was pushing this issue in the ads I saw/heard. A big government handout to some well connected cronies.
That is how I voted today.
YES on Issue 2
NO on Issue 3
I had a No storm.
No on One
No on Two
No on Three
I would vote YES on these, and THEN vote to expand it to more than 10 because they cause a monopoly
I am a FORMER MJ user- I think it is less harmfull than alcohol and makingit legal would prevent people from pursuing more (why risk it when you can get it legally?)
THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, you are welcome to yours and I will listen carefully.
They kept the crony connection so well hidden. It was all about the poor souls who need medical marijuana.
I don’t believe in enshrining monopolies for private citizens in any constitution. That is a terrible precedent. If the legislature wants to pass a law giving a monopoly to a certain business or group of investors, I don’t agree with that, but at least it’s got some accountability attached.
But to enshrine cronies in a constitution. That’s worthy of North Korea maybe.
Personally, I have no problem with marijuana at pharmacies by prescription, but that’s not what this is about.
Why not give 10 people in Ohio a monopoly on growing corn for whiskey? Why not put that in the constitution?
The people would go bananas.
But they’re proposing this ultimate cronyism bill in Ohio and the media is virtually silent about it.
Ditto that.
If the media wants it, it's probably a bad thing. The greed is staggering.
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