Do we the people deserve a say?
Is it OK for Mansfield City Council to decide on new legislation for our city without allowing time for meaningful input by residents?
In one night, council turned away a new, legal, high paying industry from our community by banning medical marijuana businesses.
In one night, council went from discussion in committee, voted through to caucus, where they voted to waive the required three readings in council, all the way to a final vote in council.
Any new legislation, no matter what it is, deserves a fair hearing. And in this case, there was absolutely no reason to bypass citizen participation.
Ohio’s medical marijuana law was approved by the legislature and signed by the governor in June 2016. Since then, the law has clearly stated that communities can decide through their zoning laws whether they wanted the business or not.
Why did our city officials wait 16 months and then rush it through?
What is our council, and our city administration, afraid of?
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana laws are some of the strictest in the country, with access limited to patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other serious conditions. The industry is highly regulated, with numerous security requirements to address public safety concerns. There’s even evidence published in peer reviewed journals that opiate use and abuse is lower in states with medical marijuana laws.
It’s a shame that our city officials turned down the legal business, and even worse that they circumvented the public process to do so.
Jean Taddie
Mansfield, Ohio
