Pubdate: Mon, 09 Feb 2015 Source: Dayton Daily News (OH) Copyright: 2015 Dayton Daily News Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/7JXk4H3l Website: http://www.daytondailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/120 Author: Ronald H. Wean LEGAL MARIJUANA WILL HURT JOBS Legalizing pot in Ohio would have consequences. The first consequence is that it makes people unemployable: People submitting positive drug screens will not be hired and could be fired, because their coworkers have a right to a safe working environment. A safe environment is legally defined by federal law as a workplace that is drug free. Consequently, the employers who refuse to monitor safety and remove those employees impaired by the presence of drugs risk liability: the loss of their business, investment, reputation in the community, and possible criminal indictment. The second consequence is that it makes this state unattractive to venture capital. If legalized, the investor question raised is: "If the pool of potential workers come from a population that justifies using a drug where people can test positive for weeks after using, why would I risk losing everything on those who care little about their own safety?" Legalizing pot in Ohio, therefore, is not a moral issue: It's a jobs issue. Ohio's leadership has defied gravity to replace job losses and fight for an economic recovery. In the middle of this battle, now is not the time to tie the working hands of those struggling to create decent wages and opportunities for all Ohioans. To those potential employers, "We have legalized pot" is not a selling point for this state. Ronald H. Wean Beavercreek - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom