Controversy ensues over Ohio’s Issue 3

By, Drew Jones

History could be made as Ohio votes on Issue 3 in the upcoming November election.

Issue 3, the Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative, would legalize the medical and personal use of marijuana. It will mark the first time that the substance will be on an Ohio ballot.  If passed, anyone with a doctor’s prescription, or over the age of 21, would be able to use marijuana recreationally.

Upon approval, there will be a total of 10 growing areas, or Marijuana Growth, Cultivation and Extraction (MGCE) facilities, along with an estimated 1,150 retail stores selling the cannabis around the state.

The group responsible for the creating the amendment is a political action committee called ResponsibleOhio. Under the guidance of executive director, Ian James, the amendment will allow the personal home growing of marijuana.

“Anyone over the age of 21 can grow their own marijuana,” James said. “Under this amendment, you’re permitted to grow up to four flowering plants and have in your house up to eight ounces of marijuana. That eight ounces is not inclusive to what is in the plant. It’s the plant and eight ounces,” he said.

One of the major criticisms of Issue 3 is the idea of a marijuana monopoly among the 10 possible growing sites. With the fear of the MGCE’s possibly monopoly scheme, lawmakers constructed Issue 2, an amendment in direct response to ResponsibleOhio’s Issue 3.

According to ballotpedia.org, Issue 2, Ohio Initiated Monopoly Amendment, would require the Ohio Ballot Board to determine whether an initiative would create an economic monopoly or special privilege for any nonpublic entity, including individuals, corporations and organizations.

Among many state representatives that were skeptical of the marijuana amendment being on the Nov. 3 ballot, was state was State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent). Clyde was quoted in the Columbus Dispatch saying she was concerned about the ““broadness of the language” with the amendment.

Aaron Corpora, a junior print journalism major at Kent State, is among those worried about the potential marijuana monopoly despite being pro-legalization.

“I feel like with the passing of this bill, it would be making a monopoly in the industry,” Corpora said. “That (10 grow sites) really limits the economic development of the product and it puts a restraint of what can be grown, who can be growing it, and the mass it can be grown in,” he said.

Corpora is even willing to wait for future marijuana reforms to avoid the potential harm Issue 3 can cause.

“Honestly, this bill as a whole, I would toss out the window,” Corpora said. “I think it’s a waste of time and not the right way to go about it.”

Despite criticism, James said in no way is ResponsibleOhio creating a marijuana monopoly.

“All 10 of the growers must compete. They cannot collude,” James said.

“The state is required to create a marijuana control commission, required to keep track of consumer demand of adults and patients. Also, for the fact that anybody over 21 can grow marijuana, makes it’s not a monopoly,” he said.

Another concern surrounding the Marijuana Legalization Initiative is the effect it will have on workplace safety. Groups such as The Greater Cleveland Partnership, one of the largest private-sector economic development organizations in Northeast Ohio, is encouraging its members to vote no on the issue due to the possible affects of workplace safety.

Along with The Greater Cleveland Partnership, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio’s largest and most diverse statewide business advocacy group, wont back the amendment as well due to workplace safety, but instead will be behind Issue 2.

Despite speculation, James isn’t concerned.

“They haven’t read the amendment,” James said regarding workplace safety and marijuana.

“Major employers in the state of Ohio currently forbid the use or consumption of tobacco products. If there’s a no tolerance drug free work place and you’re a medical marijuana patient, you need to find another job,” James said.

While all sides are seemingly split on the marijuana movement, Ohio will have a tough choice come Election Day. It’s up to the voters to decide if now is the right time for marijuana to be legal in the state.

Whether Issue 3 passes or not, Nov. 3 is on pace to be a historic day.