Ohio marijuana legalization initiative qualifies for November 2015 ballot

[jct74]

Marijuana legalization amendment approved for Ohio's November ballot

By Jackie Borchardt
August 12, 2015 at 4:06 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio voters will decide this fall whether to legalize marijuana in the Buckeye State for recreational and medical use.

ResponsibleOhio's marijuana legalization constitutional amendment was certified Wednesday by the Ohio secretary of state. It will appear as Issue 3 on the statewide ballot for the general election on Nov. 3.

If approved by voters, Ohio would be the fifth state to legalize marijuana for recreational use and the first to do so without first having a medical marijuana program.

"It's time for marijuana legalization in Ohio, and voters will have the opportunity to make it happen this November -- we couldn't be more excited," ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James said in a statement. "Drug dealers don't care about doing what's best for our state and its citizens. By reforming marijuana laws in November, we'll provide compassionate care to sick Ohioans, bring money back to our local communities and establish a new industry with limitless economic development opportunities."

...

read more:
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index....n_amendme.html


more details here:
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news...year/31469407/


--


Issue 3 - Ohio marijuana legalization initiative


Learn more and follow the latest news from ResponsibleOhio:

website: http://yeson3ohio.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResponsibleOH
twitter: https://twitter.com/ResponsibleOH
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEL...syxiOgA/videos


Issue 3 on ballotpedia: http://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Marijuan...tiative_(2015)
Issue 2 on ballotpedia: http://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Initiate...Issue_2_(2015)


Polling:

Pollster	Subject Polled	Support	Oppose	Lead	Date
Zobgy / BGSU	Issue 2	56	30	+26	10/16 - 10/17
WKYC / Kent State	Issue 2	54	20	+34	10/6 - 10/8
University of Akron	Issue 2	40	27	+13	9/1 - 10/1

Pollster	Subject Polled	Support	Oppose	Lead	Date
Zobgy / BGSU	Issue 3	44	43	+1	10/16 - 10/17
Baldwin Wallace	Issue 3	43	38	+5	10/7 - 10/19
WKYC / Kent State	Issue 3	56	34	+22	10/6 - 10/8
University of Akron	Issue 3	46	46	0	9/1 - 10/1

Pollster	Subject Polled	Support	Oppose	Lead	Date
Baldwin Wallace	marijuana legalization	55	45	+10	10/7 - 10/19
WKYC / Kent State	marijuana legalization	58	32	+26	10/6 - 10/8
Quinnipiac	marijuana legalization	53	44	+9	9/25 - 10/5
Quinnipiac	marijuana legalization	52	44	+8	3/17 - 3/28
Quinnipiac	marijuana legalization	51	44	+7	February 2014

Results:

100% reporting

Issue 2 - PASSED

YES	51.58%	1,587,060
NO	48.42%	1,489,703

Issue 3 - FAILED

YES	35.90%	1,122,386
NO	64.10%	2,003,641

[jct74]

I had heard about this and thought it was for the 2016 ballot, but it turns out the vote will be this November instead. Which is kind of unusual, because usually these statewide ballot initiatives happen in even numbered years, at least all the marijuana ones that I can remember.


There also should be several other marijuana ballot initiatives up for vote in 2016:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthr...es-An-Overview

[CaptUSA]

I imagine this will be a pretty easy pass. Being in an off-year, the most passionate voters will show up. They'll have to work pretty hard to stop it.

However, one of the biggest opponents of this bill is a group that advocates legalization. I guess they have a problem with they way it's being done here. By restricting the number of "qualified" vendors. In other words, they'll set them up like casino restrictions in other states where obtaining and keeping the licenses involve heavy payouts to the local politicians.

Since I live in Ohio now, I'm curious how this will all turn out.

[Koz]

I didn't read the articles, not sure if they talk about how this amendment creates a cartel that is already decided, only 10 growers in the entire state. So while it allows for marijuana legalization it limits the producers to only 10 growers that have already been decided. Although I support legalization, not if it creates a cartel. I for one will be voting no. Free markets are more important to me than legalization. They couldn't have $#@!ed this up more if they tried. It is a shame.

[Tod]

The word seems to be getting out about what a lousy proposal this is. This is crony corporatism at its finest, and hopefully enough people realize that when they vote.

[pcosmar]

I didn't read the articles, not sure if they talk about how this amendment creates a cartel that is already decided, only 10 growers in the entire state. So while it allows for marijuana legalization it limits the producers to only 10 growers that have already been decided. Although I support legalization, not if it creates a cartel. I for one will be voting no. Free markets are more important to me than legalization. They couldn't have $#@!ed this up more if they tried. It is a shame.

Personally, I'm opposed to any and all regulation. However,, State by state incremental legalization is happening..

I'll take that with hopes to simplify it later.

[brandon]

I didn't read the articles, not sure if they talk about how this amendment creates a cartel that is already decided, only 10 growers in the entire state. So while it allows for marijuana legalization it limits the producers to only 10 growers that have already been decided. Although I support legalization, not if it creates a cartel. I for one will be voting no. Free markets are more important to me than legalization. They couldn't have $#@!ed this up more if they tried. It is a shame.

The one linked article did talk about this. Apparently the amendment is so bad that NORML's Ohia branch is actually opposed to it. What a freaking shame. Not knowing much more I still hope it passes I guess, but it sounds seriously $#@!ed.

I wonder if they will even have any good weed? If it's just a small handful or corn farmers with no real competition, would they even bother learning how to grow the good $#@!?

[NewRightLibertarian]

This is the oligarchy's attempt to monopolize the marijuana industry. They are trying to pull this $#@! in Michigan too. Thankfully I don't think they are having much success here as an excellent rival ballot initiative has overshadowed their takeover attempt. Guess Ohio isn't as fortunate.

[CaptUSA]

This is the oligarchy's attempt to monopolize the marijuana industry. They are trying to pull this $#@! in Michigan too. Thankfully I don't think they are having much success here as an excellent rival ballot initiative has overshadowed their takeover attempt. Guess Ohio isn't as fortunate.

I imagine they are hedging their bets. If it passes, some cronies will make big money which will be used to enrichen politicians. If it fails because the voters got wise to their scheme, then they will trumpet it as "turning the tide" in the effort to fight back legalization.

[Christopher A. Brown]

The word seems to be getting out about what a lousy proposal this is. This is crony corporatism at its finest, and hopefully enough people realize that when they vote.

Yes, looks that way. However, Ohio is a state with ballot initiative I think, meaning they can change it later. Decriminalization is very important, and this goes further than that.

California saw Mexican cartels moving in to grow, and that screwed up a lot. So it'll be good just on the relaxation empowering medical uses. A slow transition to something more decentralized will suit the Midwestern conservative mentality much better while getting the medical relief where it is needed and unloading the courts or prisons with elements that just do not belong there.

[dannno]

Ya I would still support this - the black market will still exist in Ohio just like it does now, but it gives people with medicinal needs the ability to access it freely if needed, without the needed approval of a doctor who might be scared of being prosecuted for prescribing it 'willy nilly' and it also stops users from going to jail.

[Sola_Fide]

It's not going to pass.

[Mach]

From what I read the other day in some comments, it's the people that are pushing this Amendment that are the ones that are going to get all the booty.

I understand being against it and my first instinct is to do that, but like others have said, it's easier to change it over after it gets in than to try to get it totally passed, especially after an earlier, "loss."

2015, yeah, the other groups were probably waiting until the big election like they are here (Mo) and that "group" shuffled in and hijacked the box.

Pass it and free, the booty!

[jct74]

I'll be updating this thread and OP with news and information regarding the ballot initiative, similar to how I did for the ballot initiatives in 2012 and 2014.


Here's some links for the organization behind the initiative - ResponsibleOhio - to start off with:

website: http://responsibleohio.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResponsibleOH
twitter: https://twitter.com/ResponsibleOH
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEL...syxiOgA/videos

[jkr]

Ohio is Decriminalized now and has been since the late 70's i think

NOTHING will change, the war on the people will continue, different people will get rich off the suffering...OF CREATING TAXABLE RE\/ENUE!!!


but it would be nice to be wrong...

[jct74]

Here's the only polling I was able to find:

Pollster	Subject Polled	Support	Oppose	Lead	Date
Quinnipiac	marijuana legalization	52	44	+8	3/17 - 3/28
Quinnipiac	marijuana legalization	51	44	+7	February 2014

[jct74]

Here's the ballotpedia entries for the marijuana legalization initiative (Issue 3) and the anti-monopoly initiative (Issue 2):

http://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Marijuan...tiative_(2015)
http://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Initiate...Issue_2_(2015)

[surf]

good luck ohio. as a guy that voted for the worst marijuana decrim initiative anywhere, i'll hope this one isn't as bad. other states seem to have taken the Washington initiative as an example of what not to do.

a yes vote is good in that it will force the police to rethink their position on weed. hell, i'm not sure what you have to do to get busted smoking weed in Seattle these days... perhaps have it show up in your piss/blood if you get pulled over for drunk driving, but other than that, it is completely ignored. walking out of the Sounders game today (a 4-nil shellacking of Orlando) I smelled weed outside the Stadium as cops were shuffling people on their way w/no concern for the wonderful smell wafting through the air.

it changes things and it changes attitudes very much.

and, it will lower "black market" weed prices substantially.

[CaptUSA]

Here's the ballotpedia entries for the marijuana legalization initiative (Issue 3) and the anti-monopoly initiative (Issue 2):

http://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Marijuan...tiative_(2015)
http://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Initiate...Issue_2_(2015)

So it looks like a "yes" vote for both initiatives is in order?

[pcosmar]

good luck ohio. as a guy that voted for the worst marijuana decrim initiative anywhere, i'll hope this one isn't as bad. other states seem to have taken the Washington initiative as an example of what not to do.

a yes vote is good in that it will force the police to rethink their position on weed. hell, i'm not sure what you have to do to get busted smoking weed in Seattle these days... perhaps have it show up in your piss/blood if you get pulled over for drunk driving, but other than that, it is completely ignored. walking out of the Sounders game today (a 4-nil shellacking of Orlando) I smelled weed outside the Stadium as cops were shuffling people on their way w/no concern for the wonderful smell wafting through the air.

it changes things and it changes attitudes very much.

and, it will lower "black market" weed prices substantially.

I am currently observing the Washington "tier" system. (looking into employment).
I am sure there is a Black Market still.. but prices in local stores are good. The black market would only be the prohibited,,, products or people.

[surf]

but prices in local stores are good.

good luck to you, but $20/gram?

[dannno]

good luck to you, but $20/gram?

I get wax for that price...

[jct74]

So it looks like a "yes" vote for both initiatives is in order?

The anti-monopoly initiative is intended to kill the marijuana legalization initiative. It was put on the ballot by a bunch of state legislators who don't want marijuana legalized, as opposed to the marijuana initiative which was put on the ballot by collecting citizen signatures. If both initiatives pass, no one is sure what the exact outcome will be. It will have to be decided by the courts. I assume the anti-monopoly initiative would void the entire marijuana legalization initiative though, that is certainly the intent behind it. I would vote YES on Issue 3 (marijuana legalization) and NO on Issue 2.

[jct74]

here's a good article that explains what could happen if both initiatives pass.

What happens if both marijuana legalization and anti-monopoly amendments pass?

By Jackie Borchardt
on August 17, 2015 at 10:25 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio voters in November will face two constitutional amendments that conflict with one another.

One -- a citizen-initiated amendment -- would legalize a new marijuana industry dependent on 10 predetermined growing sites. Another, which state lawmakers put on the ballot, seeks to block that business model.

What happens if they both pass?

...

Ohio's chief election official, Secretary of State Jon Husted, says it's clear: The amendment seeking to block the marijuana plan would prevail because it would take effect first.

But marijuana legalization backers who disagree with Husted's interpretation would likely challenge it in the Ohio Supreme Court, leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of the justices.

...

On the same day ResponsibleOhio submitted nearly 700,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot, lawmakers added a provision to HJR 4 that affects only ResponsibleOhio's amendment:

"If, at the general election held on November 3, 2015, the electors approve a proposed constitutional amendment that conflicts with division (B)(1) of this section with regard to the creation of a monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel for the sale, distribution, or other use of any federal Schedule I controlled substance ... that entire proposed constitutional amendment shall not take effect."

...

read more:
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index....marijuana.html

[Mach]

History in the making.


---

Every time a State legalizes, the ball gets bigger and rolls faster......

[jct74]

Coalition forms to fight marijuana legalization

By Alan Johnson
August 17, 2015 7:40 PM




Two photos speak volumes about the fledgling campaign opposing marijuana legalization in Ohio.

A picture of a child’s hand reaching into a jar for a tempting gummy candy hints at the daunting possibility that kids might eat cookies and candy laced with marijuana, with resulting serious health effects.

The second photo, an adult’s hand slipping a $100 bill into a suit pocket, hits proponents for seeking to carve a money-making marijuana monopoly into the Ohio Constitution.

Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies, the coalition opposing the Issue 3 marijuana-legalization ballot issue, will need all the imagery it can get. The opposition campaign is a mile wide in terms of supporters, but an inch deep in financial resources.

...

Quiet for months, marijuana legalization opponents finally came out in force Monday at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where a coalition of medical, mental-health, clergy and business leaders and politicians strongly denounced the November pot issue.

Curt Steiner, a seasoned political consultant from Columbus and spokesman for the opposition, called ResponsibleOhio’s plan “an extreme radical proposal.” Steiner declined to say how much money the coalition expects to raise or whether it will be able to afford television commercials.

...

read more:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stor...Rush_tour.html

[jct74]

ResponsibleOhio takes marijuana legalization campaign on the road

By Jackie Borchardt
on August 17, 2015 at 11:42 AM




COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The group pushing to legalize marijuana in Ohio will tour all 88 counties in a neon green camper before Election Day.

ResponsibleOhio unveiled its "green rush" bus tour on Monday morning, showing off a green and blue-wrapped recreational camper outside the Ohio Statehouse. The announcement came hours before the group that will formally oppose the marijuana legalization amendment will kick off its campaign.

ResponsibleOhio spokeswoman Faith Oltman said the camper will make three stops per day most weekdays in places such as colleges and universities and town squares.

"We now know voters will have the opportunity to make legalization a reality this November. It's time for us to educate the public about what our amendment will do and how we're planning to reform failed marijuana prohibition," Oltman said during the Statehouse press conference.

...

read more:
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index...._marijuan.html

[jct74]

The backers of the legalization amendment have already pledged to spend $20 million. Total amount spent by legalization backers in Colorado for the 2012 campaign: $2.5 million.

Ohio, prepare for Marijuana Battle 2015

Jessie Balmert
August 18, 2015

COLUMBUS – In this corner, we have pro-pot group ResponsibleOhio with about $20 million to spend on advertising, a new bus headed to 88 counties and polls that say most Ohioans are fine with legalizing at least medicinal pot.

In the other corner, we have Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies, a group of pediatricians, manufacturers, farmers and police officers who say legalizing marijuana would put children at risk and create an oligopoly that’s bad for Ohio business.

Let Battle of the Blunt 2015 begin.

...

Until then, ResponsibleOhio and the groups opposing it are in for an expensive fight.

In Colorado, groups opposing marijuana legalization spent about $800,000 and those supporting legalization spent $2.5 million, said Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Mason Tvert, who worked on the Colorado campaign.

“This is American politics. It takes money to get your message out and reach voters where they are,” said Tom Angell, founder of the Marijuana Majority.

And the $20 million that ResponsibleOhio says it has raised? “That would be an exceptional amount,” Tvert said.

...

read more:
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news...ttle/31882951/

[jct74]

Here's ResponsibleOhio's first statewide pro-marijuana ad (video)

By Jackie Borchardt
on August 24, 2015 at 1:05 PM




COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Pro-marijuana group ResponsibleOhio has purchased airtime on broadcast stations around the state to try to persuade Ohioans to vote yes on Issue 3, which would legalize marijuana for recreational and medical use.

The ad airing across the state features Howard Rahtz, a former Cincinnati Police Department captain who has written and spoken about battling illegal drug trafficking. Rahtz is also a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a national organization of current and former officers who believe anti-drug laws don't work and often advocate legalizing marijuana.

...

Like ResponsibleOhio's first ad, this 30-second spot doesn't show marijuana or marijuana products. The ad is airing in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown, according to TV station records available Monday.

This statewide ad buy cost more than $240,000, according to TV station records. ResponsibleOhio has said it plans to spend about $20 million on the campaign.

...

read more:
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index....s_first_s.html

[dannno]

read more:
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index...._marijuan.html

Think that RV ever gets pulled over?