MANSFIELD, Ohio — Much debate has surfaced over Issue 3–the initiative that would legalize marijuana and personal use marijuana for adults older than 21. While some are in favor of the proposal, others like the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) of Ohio are against it.
NFIB/Ohio is a small business association, seeking to promote and protect the right of its members to own, operate and grow their businesses. The organization has 21 different area action councils made up of business owners in regions across the state–one of which is the Richland County Area Action Council.
Tuesday, the local council held one of its quarterly meetings at Milliron Industries. The approximately 24 attendees heard from keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who spoke primarily about the Common Sense Initiative, and NFIB/Ohio Executive Director Roger Geiger, who focused his talk mostly on Issue 3, according to Andy Patterson, communications director with NFIB/Ohio.
Patterson said that NFIB members around the state were surveyed about Issue 3, “and it came back really strongly opposed to it,” he said.
He said, “A lot of our small business owners are real big on free enterprise and they look at this issue of legalizing marijuana that’s going to basically be put in the hands of 10 growers to make another complication where it’s going to financially benefit just a few people.”
As part of the proposal, the number of marijuana growing operations across the state would be limited to 10.
Patterson said there’s a variety of concerns NFIB members have with regard to Issue 3. One that he highlighted dealt with drug screening employees.
“In the initial hire, how are people [who smoke marijuana] even going to pass their drug screen to get a job–what is that going to do to the employee pool that’s available out there,” he asked.
Others in addition to NFIB/Ohio have spoken out in opposition to Issue 3, including a group of pastors, doctors, farmers and business owners who filed an official argument to the Ohio Secretary of State on Aug. 17.
In the argument, they claim the marijuana amendment will create a “billion-dollar monopoly for a small group of wealthy investors.” The group also states the amendment will “put children at risk.”
Many Issue 3 opponents are endorsing Issue 2, an amendment preventing monopolies and oligopolies from being added to the Constitution and aimed directly at Issue 3.
“In the initial hire, how are people [who smoke marijuana] even going to pass their drug screen to get a job–what is that going to do to the employee pool that’s available out there,” asked Andy Patterson.
