Campaign to Legalize Cannabis Launches in Ohio
Activists in Ohio are beginning
their campaign to put the legalization of cannabis to a vote in 2015. ResponsibleOhio says it will soon be putting forth an initiative to “end marijuana prohibition”, and will “pursue [the initiative] in 2015 to give voters the opportunity to let adults 21 and older use marijuana for medical and personal use.”
“Marijuana for medical and personal use should be a choice made by adults 21 and older in this state. We are going to end this failed prohibition,” says Lydia Bolander, a spokesperson for the campaign. “Legalizing marijuana for medical and personal use means increased safety because we will regulate, tax and treat marijuana like alcohol,” she says. “We will smother the black market and use the taxes generated to help local communities provide vital public services.
She continues; “We need to be compassionate and ensure patients receive the treatment they rightfully deserve. We will create jobs in the agricultural, wholesale and retail marketplace, and we will drive research at our universities and hospitals… We will take the steps that so many other states have taken to decriminalize marijuana so that we are no longer destroying lives and our law-enforcement officers are spending their time investigating and arresting the real criminals threatening our communities”.
According to Bolander; “This is about safety, personal freedom, healthy choices, jobs and tax dollars for our communities.”
If approved into law, ResponsibleOhio’s initiative – which will be a constitutional amendment – would legalize the possession, private cultivation and retail sale of cannabis to those 21 and older, while also establishing a tightly-controlled medical cannabis program. The measure would establish a Marijuana Control Commission, which would be responsible for establishing regulations.
According to polling released earlier this year, 87% of those in Ohio support legalizing medical cannabis, with 51% supporting recreational legalization.
– TheJointBlog
Anonymous
Is this a monopoly of sort for the chosen few
Kevin
I understand that Ohio smokes pot and want to legalize it I got that but what about Louisiana they seem to be totally not in favor and I believe that’s my choice in the matter I supprt everything u are doing just wish we here in LA could partake in the ganja could u help that would be awesome thanks from everyone in the boot.,,……,.,.,,……,,
Michael
We need to find out every single person that has a say so in this, find out of they receive contributions, are invested in, have any involvement with pharmaceutical companies and OUT ALL OF THEM. The people who know, know that the pharmaceutical companies contribute millions to politicians and expect them to cote AGAINST cannabis legalization. It is sickening, it is all about money, away has been and always will be.
Linda
This group announced with a name very similar to an existing cannabis group in Ohio. The new group calls themselves Responsible Ohio. The existing group who has a good amendment that many of us like are called Responsible Ohioans and can be found at responsibleohioans.org. If the new group were really responsible, they wouldn’t be using a name that confuses everyone.
victoria khan
Kudos! set to create confusion and I’ve had some even think they were Ohio Rights Group (ORG) which is totally incorrect… The Ohio Rights Group still has its amendment, The Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment or (OCRA)… thanks for not getting us mixed up with the group forming the “monopoly” as we are (and have) no part of it or in it. Vk (volunteer ~ ORG)
Anonymous
Where can I sign? I’m in Hawaii, but am a resident of Ohio. I will be coming home soon. I love the idea. I hope everything works out.
arthur bonrtager
The Time is Now..Lets get this done..
Anonymous
Legalize it. It is the greatest medicine.
Gary
I hate to see marijuana treated as alcohol, considering it’s way safer. Reclassify weed on the federal level and make it so no one in the USA will be harassed or have their possessions taken away for growing or consuming it. No amount of regulation will smother a black market if the laws don’t reflect realistic pricing and abundance of availability.
George Barrett
Responsible Ohio (RO), would create a marijuana monopoly – much like the current Ohio casino monopoly – granting the exclusive right to cultivate cannabis to a conglomerate of ONLY 10 companies / investors. This shameful attempt to create a de facto cartel cannot be tolerated. This group has practically stolen the name of the group I will be supporting – Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis. RO has created a name so similar so that they can confuse the public into supporting the wrong group. RO has the backing of big business so they have a flashy website, paid signature gatherers, and will most certainly have a massive ad campaign this year.
Responsible Ohio (RO) is the big business monopoly of 10 growers, with NO personal / home cultivation exemption.
Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis (ROC) is a political action committee that was started by average Ohio citizens and they are in desperate need of volunteers to collect signatures. The amendment would allow personal cultivation with permission of land owner, commercial cultivation with fees imposed, standard sales tax, amnesty for marijuana convictions, etc. The ROC amendment has the potential to be the most progressive marijuana law in the nation.
Please support Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis – http://responsibleohioans.org/