Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation announced Friday it opposes a marijuana-legalization proposal that is likely to appear on the November ballot.
The organization is the first statewide group to oppose ResponsibleOhio's proposed constitutional amendment, which would create a legal pot industry with commercial marijuana grown at 10 farms promised to campaign investors.
Farm bureau trustees say the proposal doesn't belong in the Ohio Constitution, would create a monopoly that excludes average Ohioans and would put Ohio at odds with federal law prohibiting marijuana.
"The state constitution is about guaranteeing Ohioans' basic freedoms, not guaranteeing a few people's profits," John C. Fisher, the federation's executive vice president, said in a news release.
The group has not yet taken a position on a legislature-sponsored ballot issue that would prohibit constitutional amendments protecting monopolies and other economic interests. The anti-monopoly issue was written so if both it and ResponsibleOhio's amendment pass, the marijuana amendment would be void.
ResponsibleOhio submitted nearly 700,000 signatures of Ohio voters to the Secretary of State's Office last month in an attempt to qualify for the November ballot. County boards of election have been validating those signatures and the secretary of state will release the results by early next week. If the group falls short, it will have 10 days to collect the difference.
If approved by voters this fall, marijuana could be sold for recreational use in Ohio by mid-2016. Pot would be heavily taxed, with revenue going to local governments for public services, for cannabis research, and treatment for drug abuse and addiction.
"We're disappointed with the Ohio Farm Bureau's announcement, especially because their viewpoint puts them in the unenviable position of supporting failed marijuana prohibition and the illegal drug trade," ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James said in a statement.
"Going forward, we're excited to have conversations with voters about how we can move marijuana from the black market to a safe, taxed and highly-regulated green industry," James said. "And Ohio voters will have the opportunity to repeal failed marijuana prohibition in November."
The 10 commercial growing licenses could be reduced or expanded to meet demand by the Marijuana Control Commission. Ohioans could grow limited amounts of their own marijuana at home - up to four flowering plants and 8 ounces of dried marijuana.
The Farm Bureau also questioned whether Ohio should amend its constitution to directly conflict with federal law. Twenty-three states have legalized marijuana for medical use and four states have legalized the drug for personal use.
The Obama administration has said it would not enforce the federal prohibition in states that have legalized marijuana use as long as states regulate the industry.
"We're going to get a new president in just over a year," Fisher said. "What happens if he or she decides to get tougher? How much will it cost Ohio taxpayers to fight that battle?"
Fisher said Ohio should monitor and learn from the experiences of the four states that have recently legalized recreational use - Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. He said even marijuana-legalization supporters should oppose ResponsibleOhio's plan.
"Manipulating the constitution in a way that's legally questionable to profit a small number of investors is just a really bad idea," he said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ohio Farm Bureau opposes ResponsibleOhio marijuana legalization plan | cleveland.com
Author: Jackie Borchardt
Contact: Cleveland.com Contact Us
Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press
Website: Cleveland OH Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - cleveland.com
The organization is the first statewide group to oppose ResponsibleOhio's proposed constitutional amendment, which would create a legal pot industry with commercial marijuana grown at 10 farms promised to campaign investors.
Farm bureau trustees say the proposal doesn't belong in the Ohio Constitution, would create a monopoly that excludes average Ohioans and would put Ohio at odds with federal law prohibiting marijuana.
"The state constitution is about guaranteeing Ohioans' basic freedoms, not guaranteeing a few people's profits," John C. Fisher, the federation's executive vice president, said in a news release.
The group has not yet taken a position on a legislature-sponsored ballot issue that would prohibit constitutional amendments protecting monopolies and other economic interests. The anti-monopoly issue was written so if both it and ResponsibleOhio's amendment pass, the marijuana amendment would be void.
ResponsibleOhio submitted nearly 700,000 signatures of Ohio voters to the Secretary of State's Office last month in an attempt to qualify for the November ballot. County boards of election have been validating those signatures and the secretary of state will release the results by early next week. If the group falls short, it will have 10 days to collect the difference.
If approved by voters this fall, marijuana could be sold for recreational use in Ohio by mid-2016. Pot would be heavily taxed, with revenue going to local governments for public services, for cannabis research, and treatment for drug abuse and addiction.
"We're disappointed with the Ohio Farm Bureau's announcement, especially because their viewpoint puts them in the unenviable position of supporting failed marijuana prohibition and the illegal drug trade," ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James said in a statement.
"Going forward, we're excited to have conversations with voters about how we can move marijuana from the black market to a safe, taxed and highly-regulated green industry," James said. "And Ohio voters will have the opportunity to repeal failed marijuana prohibition in November."
The 10 commercial growing licenses could be reduced or expanded to meet demand by the Marijuana Control Commission. Ohioans could grow limited amounts of their own marijuana at home - up to four flowering plants and 8 ounces of dried marijuana.
The Farm Bureau also questioned whether Ohio should amend its constitution to directly conflict with federal law. Twenty-three states have legalized marijuana for medical use and four states have legalized the drug for personal use.
The Obama administration has said it would not enforce the federal prohibition in states that have legalized marijuana use as long as states regulate the industry.
"We're going to get a new president in just over a year," Fisher said. "What happens if he or she decides to get tougher? How much will it cost Ohio taxpayers to fight that battle?"
Fisher said Ohio should monitor and learn from the experiences of the four states that have recently legalized recreational use - Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. He said even marijuana-legalization supporters should oppose ResponsibleOhio's plan.
"Manipulating the constitution in a way that's legally questionable to profit a small number of investors is just a really bad idea," he said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ohio Farm Bureau opposes ResponsibleOhio marijuana legalization plan | cleveland.com
Author: Jackie Borchardt
Contact: Cleveland.com Contact Us
Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press
Website: Cleveland OH Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - cleveland.com
