Pubdate: Mon, 18 May 2015
Source: Akron Beacon Journal (OH)
Copyright: 2015 The Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/6

WHAT IF OHIO GOES TO POT

A majority of Ohioans, 52 percent, now support legalizing marijuana. 
Approval is even higher for medical use, at 84 percent. Both numbers 
indicate a turnaround in public opinion. More, there are sound public 
policy reasons for moving forward with legalization, the state in a 
position to control quality and access, generate tax revenue and 
prevent users from facing criminal penalties.

Still, legalization is a complex issue. Just four other states permit 
marijuana consumption for recreational purposes. Some moved forward 
after first allowing fairly widespread medical use. Once recreational 
use was approved, the actions of many medical consumers became 
something of an unintended consequence. They may have gamed the 
system to stick with the medical avenue, thus circumventing the tax 
structure and depriving the state of revenue.

The better course is legalization of both recreational and medical 
marijuana. Ideally, the Statehouse would take the lead by enacting 
legislation or, as urged last week by Secretary of State Jon Husted, 
at least engage in debate about issues surrounding legalization. As 
it is, lawmakers appear increasingly resistant.

Among the ideas now under discussion in the legislature are a bill or 
a legislatively initiated ballot issue that would tightly control 
marijuana for medical use only and a resolution urging voters to 
reject any constitutional amendment that "grants a monopoly for the 
commercial cultivation and distribution of marijuana."

Such ideas are aimed at a petition drive by private interests to 
place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. 
ResponsibleOhio's amendment would allow recreational and medical uses 
of marijuana, but limit commercial growing to 10 predetermined, 
investor-owned sites. ResponsibleOhio makes a logical argument: If 
legalization depends on the private sector taking action, investors 
will want a return on their investment.

A second amendment, backed by a Toledo businessman, Edward Howard, is 
not as far along. Howard's proposed amendment mirrors what 
ResponsibleOhio has in mind, but departs in a major way when it comes 
to growing sites. Howard would start with the original 10, then add 
30 more smaller operations, which could be clustered anywhere near 
the original 10 sites.

To raise money for a campaign, he is selling the right to open a 
smaller growing operation to campaign contributors (starting at 
$80,000) on a first-come, first-served basis.

As noted in a recent Rand Corp. analysis, the profit motive that 
comes with large-scale commercial growing easily could lead to a 
system that results in abuse by recreational users. That means 
vigorous state oversight is needed, but embedding the scheme for 
legalization in the state constitution would make it extremely 
difficult to make changes to respond to problems. Any adjustment 
would require another amendment.

The better course would be for the legislature to pass a fair, 
competitive and comprehensive law legalizing both recreational and 
medical uses of marijuana. If that isn't going to happen, lawmakers, 
and the governor, should be preparing to set up a system of 
regulations because private interests now are putting up money to see 
that marijuana becomes legal in Ohio.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom