Pubdate: Sun, 23 Aug 2015 Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2015 The Columbus Dispatch Contact: http://www.dispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93 FIGHTING THE DRUG CARTEL Coalition Has Gathered Strong Allies to Oppose Pot Monopoly There are many reasons for Ohioans to vote in November against Issue 3, which would enshrine a marijuana-selling monopoly in the Ohio Constitution. The newly unveiled "No on 3" opposition campaign has assembled a broad and influential coalition to highlight the damage that would be done if Issue 3 were to pass. First, Issue 3 would change Ohio's foundational document in order to financially benefit a handful of people. This is an abuse of the referendum process in which deep-pocketed backers, many not even based in Ohio, write a ballot issue that creates their monopoly and sets their preferred tax rates, pay people to gather signatures, then funnel millions of dollars into the campaign to pass the measure. To counter this abuse of the constitution, the state legislature has placed a measure on the November ballot that would bar future constitutional amendments intended to confer financial benefits on an exclusive group. This measure will appear as Issue 2 on the November ballot. Voters should support this measure, which Secretary of State Jon Husted and state attorneys say would negate Issue 3 even if Issue 3 also passes. It is a bad idea to usher in a sudden, major change involving an intoxicating drug that remains illegal under federal law. Ohio would become only the fifth state to legalize marijuana use for recreational purposes - and the only state to do so without first approving more-limited medical use only. Several other states that have legalized marijuana have seen negative consequences. In Colorado, pot shops have sprung up near schools and churches, and marijuana-laced sweets have led to worries that pot is being packaged in a way that makes it enticing to children. Tax revenues also have fallen far short of projections, something Ohio has seen with casino tax revenues. Legalization inevitably leads to wider use, which would endanger the health of children and economic well-being in the state. The No on 3 campaign was launched at Nationwide Children's Hospital, where researchers have warned that more children are exposed to marijuana and its harmful effects in places where pot is legalized. The campaign is backed by the Ohio Children's Hospital Association, the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ohio State Medical Association. The effort also has the backing of business and economic-development groups including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants and the Ohio Manufacturers' Association. The reason is clear: A workforce that is more likely to be under the influence of drugs would be less productive and more prone to accidents. Even without legal marijuana, many employers say it's tough to find job applicants who can pass a drug test. All one needs to do is look at who is bankrolling this issue that would lead to greater drug use and abuse: a cabal of "entrepreneurs" looking to make a lot of money. Then look at who opposes it: health professionals, business organizations, law-enforcement and legal-profession groups. It's clear who is on the right side of the fight, and who is in it simply for the money. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom