Robert Celt
New Member
It should be up to Ohio voters to decide the future of marijuana in the Buckeye state.
Last fall, we, as well as many others, opposed the marijuana legalization effort known as Issue 1 on the basis it was poorly worded and slanted to support a small cabal of marijuana growers in the state. Two-thirds of voters came together to oppose the measure, but it made for strange bedfellows of both the fervently anti-drug and the equally fervent anti-monopoly crowds. Because of all the controversy that surrounded the actual implementation of the amendment, the initiative was not a true gauge of how Ohio voters felt – pro or con – on the topic. As such, the debate is not going away anytime soon.
That's why Ohio should look to settle the question sooner rather than later, and getting a medical marijuana measure on the ballot this year makes sense. That is not to say we think it necessarily should be approved. As we said last year, there are serious issues that need to be debated about legalization, both medical and recreational, but no one was having that debate last year. It's well past time for that discussion.
While some lawmakers would prefer to deal with the issue through legislation, this week, proponents of a medical marijuana ballot issue said they support a constitutional amendment because it offers a quicker, more effective way for those in need of medicinal marijuana to get relief compared to legislation. On the flip side, those opposed to medicinal use oppose legislation because they do not get a direct say on the topic.
At this stage, lawmakers would probably be wise to simply let the voters voice be heard, up or down, on marijuana. Medical marijuana has more support than full recreational use (another problem with last year's Issue 1 was that it was the first time a state had ever tried to go from illegal to fully legal without first approving medicinal use). Still, there are strong opponents of any legalization and they deserve to have their voice heard as well. While we understand lawmakers trying to find a compromise, as well as an easier method to tweak and fine tune as opposed to a constitutional amendment, many proponents aren't sold on the law as written for a variety of reasons.
We think, given the controversy around this topic with voters throughout the state, a ballot initiative and a straight up or down vote for citizens makes the most sense at this point.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ohio: Let Voters Decide
Author: Staff
Contact: Star Beacon
Photo Credit: iStock
Website: Star Beacon
Last fall, we, as well as many others, opposed the marijuana legalization effort known as Issue 1 on the basis it was poorly worded and slanted to support a small cabal of marijuana growers in the state. Two-thirds of voters came together to oppose the measure, but it made for strange bedfellows of both the fervently anti-drug and the equally fervent anti-monopoly crowds. Because of all the controversy that surrounded the actual implementation of the amendment, the initiative was not a true gauge of how Ohio voters felt – pro or con – on the topic. As such, the debate is not going away anytime soon.
That's why Ohio should look to settle the question sooner rather than later, and getting a medical marijuana measure on the ballot this year makes sense. That is not to say we think it necessarily should be approved. As we said last year, there are serious issues that need to be debated about legalization, both medical and recreational, but no one was having that debate last year. It's well past time for that discussion.
While some lawmakers would prefer to deal with the issue through legislation, this week, proponents of a medical marijuana ballot issue said they support a constitutional amendment because it offers a quicker, more effective way for those in need of medicinal marijuana to get relief compared to legislation. On the flip side, those opposed to medicinal use oppose legislation because they do not get a direct say on the topic.
At this stage, lawmakers would probably be wise to simply let the voters voice be heard, up or down, on marijuana. Medical marijuana has more support than full recreational use (another problem with last year's Issue 1 was that it was the first time a state had ever tried to go from illegal to fully legal without first approving medicinal use). Still, there are strong opponents of any legalization and they deserve to have their voice heard as well. While we understand lawmakers trying to find a compromise, as well as an easier method to tweak and fine tune as opposed to a constitutional amendment, many proponents aren't sold on the law as written for a variety of reasons.
We think, given the controversy around this topic with voters throughout the state, a ballot initiative and a straight up or down vote for citizens makes the most sense at this point.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ohio: Let Voters Decide
Author: Staff
Contact: Star Beacon
Photo Credit: iStock
Website: Star Beacon
