Pubdate: Mon, 02 Nov 2015
Source: Daily Sentinel, The (OH)
Copyright: 2015 The Daily Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.mydailysentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4282
Author: Keith Wood

ISSUE 3 MUST BE DEFEATED

Dear Editor,

Contrary to what television ads may claim, local law enforcement 
resources and funds are not spent tracking down marijuana smokers. 
Our drug enforcement efforts focus on other drugs of abuse, such as 
prescription drugs, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. Our local 
jail is not full of people caught in possession of a small amount of 
marijuana. In fact, there are very few people incarcerated in Ohio 
for a primary offense relating to possession of marijuana.

Supporters of Issue 3 will have you believe that marijuana is a 
harmless drug and should be legalized and regulated, much the same 
way as alcohol. They believe that as long as marijuana is used 
responsibly it should be OK. This belief relies on an incredibly 
dangerous assumption that marijuana will be used responsibly. Simple 
observation will tell you that alcohol is not used responsibly. Every 
year, as a result of alcohol use, deputies from this office respond 
to numerous domestic violence incidents.

And every year, Ohio experiences hundreds of deaths as a result of 
traffic accidents, some of which occur right here in Meigs County. 
It's not secret that lives are destroyed because of alcoholism. Is it 
prudent to legalize a psychoactive substance that has the potential 
to wreak as much or more havoc and destruction on society? Do we want 
to see more fatal accidents, more problems with drugs in the 
workplace, decreased productivity from our citizens and more drug 
treatment problems? The answer is a resounding "no."

Now let's look at Issue 3 itself. Issue 3 would cement into the 
Constitution of Ohio the creation of a billion dollar marijuana 
monopoly for a small group of wealthy investors. The tax rates 
accompanying this monopoly would likewise be cemented. Since Issue 3 
changes the state constitution, the Ohio Legislature would be 
powerless to change the members of the monopoly or the tax rate in 
the future. Even if you believed that marijuana legalization would 
benefit society, the same benefits would be available under legalized 
marijuana controlled by a free market and not a monopoly of rich 
investors. Supporters of Issue 3 want money and power, plain and simple.

In addition, did you know that the manufacture and sale of marijuana 
is still against federal law, so banks will not accept money for 
deposit from sources known to be marijuana-related? Did you know that 
Issue 3 provides no regulation regarding mixing marijuana into food 
products and candy? Do you want your kids smoking or eating marijuana 
just because it is legal?

For these reasons and others, groups such as the Ohio Children's 
Hospital Association, the Ohio Association of County Behavioral 
Health Authorities, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio School 
Boards Association, as well as others too numerous to name, have come 
out against Issue 3.

In conclusion, the passage of Issue 3 would be detrimental to our 
community because it would legalize another drug for use by our 
citizens, which would be much more damaging than alcohol. Even if you 
disagree with this assertation and are in favor of marijuana 
legalization, Issue 3 is not the solution. Issue 3 changes the state 
Constitution, tying the hands of the state Legislature to make future 
changes and cements control of distribution to a few rich investors. 
Issue 3 must be defeated.

Keith Wood, Meigs County sheriff
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom