Pubdate: Sun, 25 Jan 2015
Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH)
Copyright: 2015 The Columbus Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.dispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93

10 SEEK PAYOFF FROM POT PLAN

Ohioans Should Reject Proposal That Would Create Legal Drug Cartel

The latest in a string of proposals to legalize marijuana in Ohio 
provides another example of a secretive, self-serving group trying to 
disguise its motives while pushing a supposedly consumer- and 
taxpayer-friendly scheme on voters.

The backers of the latest plan have taken a bad idea and made it worse.

The group, laughably calling itself ResponsibleOhio, is gathering 
signatures for a November ballot issue that would legalize the drug 
for medical and recreational use - something only four states so far 
have done - but allow a cartel of only 10 individuals or investor 
groups to have exclusive rights to operate one of 10 legal marijuana 
businesses in the state.

Further adding to the funny smell surrounding this proposal, only one 
of the investors' names has been made public so far: James Gould, a 
Cincinnati businessman and sports agent.

The proposal is the only one among several plans being circulated 
that would operate under a for-profit model. Pushers of the 
ResponsibleOhio plan must gather 305,591 valid signatures of Ohio 
registered voters to put the issue on the November ballot.

This plan would serve only those who want to be able to buy and use 
an intoxicating drug without fear of criminal charges. But it also 
would encourage more drug use among Ohioans, including youths.

Further demonstrating the group's self-interest, ResponsibleOhio sets 
the proposed tax rate on legal marijuana sales at 15 percent, a mere 
pittance that would guarantee an enormous windfall for the handful of 
investors in the drug-dealing scheme.

In Colorado, one of the states that has legalized marijuana, tax 
revenues have fallen far short of the promises made to Colorado 
voters. In mid-2014, it was reported that the state's tax collections 
from recreational marijuana sales were more than 60 percent below 
early projections.

Experts speculated that many people were avoiding the tax by getting 
easily available prescriptions for medical marijuana, which has a 
lower tax rate.

Some states that have legalized marijuana only for "medical" purposes 
have seen a surge in use enabled by "prescription mills" that make a 
mockery of the law.

There also have been reports of increased petty crime in areas where 
marijuana is dispensed in various states.

The facts of this ballot push may sound familiar to those who 
remember the big promises by casino operators in getting casinos 
approved by Ohio voters in 2009.

Gambling executives were able to pass a completely self-serving 
change to the Ohio Constitution, giving themselves a monopoly on 
casino gambling.

Marcie Seidel, executive director of Drug Free Action Alliance, told 
The Dispatch that the "marijuana cartel backers continue to talk in 
vague, glowing terms while refusing to dignify the intelligence of 
Ohio voters by simply offering the specific details of their scheme."

No doubt, that's because they realize that the more Ohioans learn 
about the plan, the less they will like it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom