If you’ve heard of Responsible Ohio, then you’ve probably heard of the controversy surrounding it. With a multitude of big investors, a well-organized marketing strategy, and an army of petition-runners across the state, Responsible Ohio currently has the best shot at legalizing marijuana in the state of Ohio. But a huge public outcry has resulted from the proposal’s finer details:
“The group has proposed that marijuana be legalized in Ohio in a three-tiered commercial system consisting of retail outlets, manufacturers of cannabis products and a limited number of wholesalers–that is, them. Only them.”
-Jon Gettman of HIGH TIMES
And he’s right, only the ten rich investor groups would be written in the constitution as the sole wholesalers of commercial marijuana. Essentially what is proposed here is a marijuana cultivation oligopoly for the state of Ohio. And the idea that just ten rich guys are going to be the only legal commercial growers of cannabis has activists inside and outside Ohio frothing at the mouth in denunciation of legalizing marijuana in Ohio in 2015.
I’ve been waiting 20 years for the Ohio to completely legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. But I’m willing to wait a few more. I intend to vote ‘no’ on the amendment to the Ohio Constitution as proposed by a group called Responsible Ohio, a slick and heavily-financed PAC that is pushing hard to get this amendment passed, and get it passed quickly.
– Tom Stephens of WeeklyCurrent.com
Furthermore, the backlash is fueled further by the fact that Responsible Ohio will limit the number of plants that can be cultivated at home by individuals. Four plants is not enough, many argue. Four plants is infinitely better than zero, others would argue.
So the question we need to be asking ourselves is, what’s worse: Legalization of marijuana under this legislation that seems to be built around helping the rich get richer, or… allowing marijuana prohibition to continue. What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Russ Belville breaks it down for you and explains the nuances of Responsible Ohio in greater detail:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russ-belville/ohio-marijuana-legalization_b_7647454.html