Let’s be clear about this: Issue 3 isn’t about legalizing marijuana. It takes the question of legalization and creates what amounts to a rigged game that benefits very few investors and opens the door to continued monkeying with the state constitution.
Issue 3 amends Ohio’s constitution and creates an oligopoly, basically a marijuana monopoly, that is regulated by a commission appointed by the Governor.
What do Ohioans get for handing over the control of a potentially billion dollar cash crop? The tempting promise of new jobs, legal weed for all, and tax revenue for the state, counties, and municipalities that can fund law enforcement and drug education.
Undoubtedly, there will be new revenue for Ohio. Colorado had collected $73.5 million in taxes through July 2015, with $19.6 million earmarked for schools. But let’s place that into context for a minute. Mansfield Senior High School was budgeted in 2004 to cost $48 million to construct. That’s one high school. One. Not much of a payoff, if you ask us.
If it isn’t about marijuana, what is Issue 3? Simply put, Issue 3 is all about money and power… almost none of which Ohio’s citizens will have much access to. Issue 3 is about smart investors (many from outside Ohio) sensing an opportunity to create a self-regulated monopoly that cuts out the vast majority of Ohioans from a potentially huge business opportunity.
The financial windfall for investors, according to projections from ResponsibleOhio, will be more significant. Issue 3 virtually guarantees 80 percent of the total revenue will go to either growers, manufacturers, and retail stores. If you believe the prospectus provided by ResponsibleOhio, annual revenues could approach $800 million dollars. That’s a lot of late night Cheetos.
The monopoly is not nearly as generous with your average Ohioan. Own a farm in Richland County and want to switch from soybeans to cannabis? Not possible under Issue 3 for at least the first few years. Excited about being a home grower, but want to use your own seeds that aren’t commission-approved? Sorry brah, not legal.
Currently farming pot for the black market and want to go straight with your business, pay taxes, and compete in the free market? Unbelievably…nearly impossible under Issue 3 as far as we can tell.
Ohio needs to look seriously at a reasonable, democratic, market-driven proposal for legalization. Issue 3 is none of those things. We are recommending readers vote “no” and demand a better solution for pot legalization.
