Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jun 2015
Source: Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.morningjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3569
Author: Kantele Franko, Associated Press

MEASURE THAT MIGHT BLOCK POT BALLOT ISSUE PASSES IN OHIO HOUSE

COLUMBUS (AP) - The Ohio House on Wednesday passed a fast-moving 
anti-monopoly proposal that the state's elections chief has said 
could block an effort to legalize marijuana if both issues are put 
before and approved by voters.

The House voted 81-12 in favor of the resolution, which aims to make 
it more difficult to amend the constitution with ballot issues that 
provide commercial economic benefits to few people or create monopolies.

That could affect the marijuana legalization effort by the group 
ResponsibleOhio, which wants to create 10 designated grow sites 
around the state and is working to put that question before voters. 
The group has said it followed an existing process to bring forth its 
proposal and has accused lawmakers of trying to change the rules at 
the last minute.

"The people should have the right to decide the issue, up or down, 
this November," the group said in a statement describing the 
resolution as "anti-voter."

Legislative leaders and other critics say the ResponsibleOhio effort 
is a misuse of the Ohio Constitution for business interests.

Rep. Michael Curtin, D-Columbus, said the concept of a 
citizen-initiated ballot effort has been commandeered by the kind of 
wealthy special interests it was meant to counter. Officials were 
discussing how to address that long before this marijuana 
legalization appeared, Curtin said, addressing suggestions that the 
resolution has been rushed.

"The people's constitution should never, ever be a shopping center 
for market opportunities," Curtin told fellow lawmakers, urging them 
to pass the anti-monopoly resolution so that voters can consider it.

Opponents of the resolution argue the proposal is too broad and could 
have unintended consequences on other types of ballot issues.

Rep. Kathleen Clyde, D-Kent, urged fellow lawmakers to reject it, 
suggesting it might affect future ballot issues on topics such as gay 
marriage, collective bargaining and the minimum wage.

If approved by lawmakers, the measure still would need approval from 
voters. It must clear the Legislature with a three-fifths majority 
before Aug. 5 to appear on fall ballots.

The resolution goes to the Senate next. Senate President Keith Faber, 
a Republican, has said he's hopeful his chamber will take up the 
measure before recessing for the summer.

Associated Press writer Ann Sanner contributed to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom