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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom