Pubdate: Sun, 27 Sep 2015 Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2015 The Columbus Dispatch Contact: http://www.dispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93 Author: Lucas Sullivan CANDIDATES AGREE: NO TO LEGALIZATION Columbus mayoral candidates Andrew J. Ginther and Zach Scott have differed on nearly everything: tax abatements, fixing education and body cameras for police. But they do agree on one thing: Don't legalize marijuana. Ginther said he opposes Issue 3, which would legalize marijuana via the Ohio Constitution. Scott said that as a career-long law-enforcement officer, he has "my own personal feelings," when asked during recent interviews with The Dispatch's editorial board. Those close to Scott, who is the sheriff of Franklin County, said he opposes legalizing marijuana for recreational use. But both Democrats also agree that voters should decide whether to make pot legal. "It's important - the medical use of marijuana - but I don't think it should be in the constitution," Ginther said. "I don't think there should be a monopoly for 10 very wealthy, wealthy investors." Scott said the passion on both sides of the issue requires a vote of the public. "But I encourage everyone to do their due diligence and study what's going on in Colorado," he said. When Scott suggests that voters study Colorado, he is mostly talking about increases in crime there since marijuana became legal. Colorado officials have been reluctant to blame marijuana for an overall crime rate that has risen 7 percent, according to statewide news reports. There also has been a surge in public-intoxication cases. Fire and emergency response crews are also reporting an uptick in fires and explosions blamed on equipment used to produce marijuana products. In Washington state, however, crime rates have decreased between 7 and 10 percent depending on the type of crime. The marijuana issue on the Nov. 3 ballot would make marijuana legal for limited recreational use and allow only the owners of 10 specific parcels of land to commercially grow and harvest marijuana. Those parcels are in 10 Ohio counties, including Delaware and Franklin. The measure would also allow people to grow up to four plants for personal use. Whichever candidate wins the Columbus mayor's office in November could be tasked with regulating the growth, harvest and sale of the product in the city if the constitutional amendment passes. The new mayor would also have to address public safety concerns. Colorado and Washington became the first states in the country where voters approved making marijuana legal for recreational use. In each state, consumers have to be 21, and residents can possess no more than 1 ounce of marijuana. It sells for $200 to $300 an ounce. Denver and Seattle, two of the largest cities that regulate and control marijuana, have separate zoning, operating and distribution regulations for marijuana businesses that took more than a year to enact. Both cities treat marijuana like alcohol, requiring suppliers and sellers to be licensed. And, as with alcohol, marijuana cannot be consumed in public. Both Seattle and Denver have enacted their own taxes and licensing and registration fees. Denver requires a $5,000 fee for first-time applicants for a marijuana license plus an annual renewal fee of $5,000. Retail marijuana is taxed at 25 percent plus a 2.9 percent sales tax in Colorado. Colorado collected almost $70 million in marijuana taxes during its last fiscal year and $42 million from alcohol taxes, according to its Department of Revenue. Seattle levies a tax on marijuana operations equal to $2,150 for every $1 million in gross revenue. Seattle relegated many of the marijuana-growing businesses to sites zoned for industrial use. That kept the operations on the outskirts of the city. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said coming up with new rules and proper regulations took more time than he expected. He said that even though voters approved the measure in 2012, the first retail marijuana store didn't open until July 2014. "Going for enforcement of law to regulating marijuana was quite an undertaking," Holmes said. "It was a lot of work to get everyone on the same page and the universe shifted a few degrees, I think, after we finally got it done." Seattle also recently imposed a $27 fine for smoking marijuana in public. It's the same penalty for public consumption of alcohol. The increased regulations and taxes led to a slow growth of the marijuana industry across Washington. There were about 60 licensed retailers statewide in the first year marijuana was legal. To date, the state reports 164 licensed retailers. Another hurdle in Seattle was that many banks refused to accept deposits from marijuana retailers and producers because of federal laws. Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. said he hasn't studied regulations the city might enact if Issue 3 passes. "I oppose Issue 3, and I haven't really looked at what other cities have done," Pfeiffer said. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt