Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Growing, manufacturing and selling marijuana would be taxed at a flat 15 percent rate under a proposal to legalize personal use of marijuana for those 21 and older, and to make the medical version of the drug available to people with qualifying illnesses.
ResponsibleOhio leaders said today they will mount a well-funded campaign to gather signatures to place the issue on the November ballot as an Ohio constitutional amendment. They said the wording of the amendment will be submitted to Attorney General Mike DeWine by early February.
Tax revenue, projected to be tens of millions of dollars annually, would be distributed on a per-capita basis. It would allocate 55 percent to an "Municipal and Township Government Stabilization Fund," 30 percent to a "Strong County Fund" for law enforcement, economic development, and infrastructure, and 15 percent to a "Compassionate Care Fund" to pay for operation of the state commission, non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, addiction and treatment programs, and marijuana research at Ohio public universities.
Unlike other marijuana issues being circulated, ResponsibleOhio's plans differs because it is a for-profit model. Ten individuals who invest in the campaign would, if the issues passes, have exclusive rights to operate one of 10 "tightly regulated" businesses in the "growth and cultivation of marijuana and the extraction of cannabinoids."
Only one of the investors has been made public. James Gould is a Cincinnati sports agent, businessman, and member of the board of directors of numerous organizations. Gould's sister, Barbara, who served on the Ohio Arts Council Board and other arts organizations, may also invest.
Christopher D. Stock, 39, a Cincinnati attorney and lead drafter of the proposal, said it is about "making sure the product is safe and that we're eradicating the black market." Stock is former assistant attorney general and deputy state solicitor for Attorney General Jim Petro, and law clerk for Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell.
He said in a statement that the proposal will "give voters a chance in November to legalize marijuana for medical and personal use for adults 21 and older. "Marijuana in Ohio will be safe, controlled, tested and clearly labeled for medical and personal use. Our plan will also create opportunities for Ohioans to own and operate retail stores and manufacturing facilities, which will create thousands of new jobs in an emerging market."
Stock said the plan would regulate the illegal marijuana market, provide assurances the product receive is safe and unadulterated, help curb suffering by making medicinal marijuana available, create jobs in a new industry, and provide needed money for government.
The proposal calls for creation of a seven-member Ohio Marijuana Control Commission appointed by the governor. Only one of the commission members would be someone involved in the marijuana industry.
Growers would pay a flat 15 percent tax on revenue, as would marijuana manufacturing and retail sales operations, under the proposal.
Tax revenue, projected to be tens of millions of dollars annually, would be distributed on a per-capita basis. It would allocate 55 percent to an "Municipal and Township Government Stabilization Fund," 30 percent to a "Strong County Fund" for law enforcement, economic development, and infrastructure, and 15 percent to a "Compassionate Care Fund" to pay for operation of the state commission, non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, addiction and treatment programs, and marijuana research at Ohio public universities.
Opponents are blasting the proposal.
"ResponsibleOhio will ask voters to approve 10 constitutionally protected marijuana cartels," said Jon Allison, a Columbus attorney representing the Drug Free Action Alliance. "What is strangely missing is the actual wording of their proposed amendment. As with all proposed constitutional amendments, the devil will be in the details...Makes you wonder what there is to hide here."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: For-profit marijuana ballot initiative details released | The Columbus Dispatch
Author: Alan Johnson
Contact: ajohnson@dispatch.com
Photo Credit: ResponsibleOhio
Website: The Columbus Dispatch | Central Ohio News, Sports, Arts & Classifieds
ResponsibleOhio leaders said today they will mount a well-funded campaign to gather signatures to place the issue on the November ballot as an Ohio constitutional amendment. They said the wording of the amendment will be submitted to Attorney General Mike DeWine by early February.
Tax revenue, projected to be tens of millions of dollars annually, would be distributed on a per-capita basis. It would allocate 55 percent to an "Municipal and Township Government Stabilization Fund," 30 percent to a "Strong County Fund" for law enforcement, economic development, and infrastructure, and 15 percent to a "Compassionate Care Fund" to pay for operation of the state commission, non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, addiction and treatment programs, and marijuana research at Ohio public universities.
Unlike other marijuana issues being circulated, ResponsibleOhio's plans differs because it is a for-profit model. Ten individuals who invest in the campaign would, if the issues passes, have exclusive rights to operate one of 10 "tightly regulated" businesses in the "growth and cultivation of marijuana and the extraction of cannabinoids."
Only one of the investors has been made public. James Gould is a Cincinnati sports agent, businessman, and member of the board of directors of numerous organizations. Gould's sister, Barbara, who served on the Ohio Arts Council Board and other arts organizations, may also invest.
Christopher D. Stock, 39, a Cincinnati attorney and lead drafter of the proposal, said it is about "making sure the product is safe and that we're eradicating the black market." Stock is former assistant attorney general and deputy state solicitor for Attorney General Jim Petro, and law clerk for Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell.
He said in a statement that the proposal will "give voters a chance in November to legalize marijuana for medical and personal use for adults 21 and older. "Marijuana in Ohio will be safe, controlled, tested and clearly labeled for medical and personal use. Our plan will also create opportunities for Ohioans to own and operate retail stores and manufacturing facilities, which will create thousands of new jobs in an emerging market."
Stock said the plan would regulate the illegal marijuana market, provide assurances the product receive is safe and unadulterated, help curb suffering by making medicinal marijuana available, create jobs in a new industry, and provide needed money for government.
The proposal calls for creation of a seven-member Ohio Marijuana Control Commission appointed by the governor. Only one of the commission members would be someone involved in the marijuana industry.
Growers would pay a flat 15 percent tax on revenue, as would marijuana manufacturing and retail sales operations, under the proposal.
Tax revenue, projected to be tens of millions of dollars annually, would be distributed on a per-capita basis. It would allocate 55 percent to an "Municipal and Township Government Stabilization Fund," 30 percent to a "Strong County Fund" for law enforcement, economic development, and infrastructure, and 15 percent to a "Compassionate Care Fund" to pay for operation of the state commission, non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, addiction and treatment programs, and marijuana research at Ohio public universities.
Opponents are blasting the proposal.
"ResponsibleOhio will ask voters to approve 10 constitutionally protected marijuana cartels," said Jon Allison, a Columbus attorney representing the Drug Free Action Alliance. "What is strangely missing is the actual wording of their proposed amendment. As with all proposed constitutional amendments, the devil will be in the details...Makes you wonder what there is to hide here."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: For-profit marijuana ballot initiative details released | The Columbus Dispatch
Author: Alan Johnson
Contact: ajohnson@dispatch.com
Photo Credit: ResponsibleOhio
Website: The Columbus Dispatch | Central Ohio News, Sports, Arts & Classifieds
