The state of Ohio did not put this on the ballot. Responsible Ohio did and it took over 800,000 signatures to get it on the ballot. So it wasn't "set up to fail." It was poorly designed and the article you reference describes those reasons. What Ohio wanted wasn't really relevant.
Ohio Issue 2 and Issue 3
- Thread starter argubs2
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No. The legislatures don't want it, but that had nothing to do with why it failed. They added Issue 2 to combat it because of the oligopoly aspect of the proposal. Maybe they would have added an alternate issue if it didn't have it, who knows. Ohio did not put Issue 3 on the ballot, a private group did.
The reason this failed so miserably was the oligopoly component. Everyone who was going to vote no would have done so regardless of how the initiative was written because they don't like marijuana for whatever reason. The yes vote was split because of the oligopoly.
It is extremely expensive and extremely labor intensive to gather the signatures needed and to fund a campaign like that. They were able to get it on the ballot because RO was able to entice investors into potentially profiting immensely.
Again, RO can get pumped for this. Thankfully, most of the media understands the reason this failed and aren't trying to make this a reflection on a "failed" anti-prohibition movement as a whole. They know it's because those ***** wrote it horrendously in their own favor.
Decriminalization is the minimum that should happen with marijuana. I know simple possession is supposed to be a non-arrest offense in Kentucky if in possession of less than 8 ounces, but through just reading the public records in my local newspaper, I find a lot of people (not all) convicted of possession of marijuana doing 10 days in jail after being sentenced. (10 days for weed. 4 days for DUI, probation for domestic assault. Go Kentucky!!)
How does Ohio's decrim work? Also, do you think Ohio will try a straight up legalization without the growing monopoly next year?
I'd highly doubt RO will, considering they just got butt pounded 2:1 and would essentially have to concede their main interest in the proposal - exclusive growing rights. Would be mighty magnanimous of them to throw around their money to finish the job with a clean proposal, but I suspect they'll have a difficult time getting the investors to pony up again without a constitutionally protected cash cow.
Others have tried for years to get the signatures / support and have failed. This might propel the legislature to finally look into medicinal but we'll see.
Recreational in Ohio is dead and will be, I suspect, until the plant is rescheduled and the federal prohibition is lifted. Hope I'm wrong.
Others have tried for years to get the signatures / support and have failed. This might propel the legislature to finally look into medicinal but we'll see.
Recreational in Ohio is dead and will be, I suspect, until the plant is rescheduled and the federal prohibition is lifted. Hope I'm wrong.
Ohio law is different for possession. Possession of less than 100 grams is a minor misdemeanor, essentially the equivalent of a traffic ticket- a pay out, although it does carry a 6 month license suspension, if the BMV catches it. You cannot be sentenced to jail in Ohio for possession of marijuana (unless a local jurisdiction has a stricter law) under 100 grams.
Kentucky law is stricter on possession; it IS a potential jail offense even for a roach (A class B misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days, if I am not mistaken), though I would assume that the vast majority of cases end up in fines. However, Kentucky is more lenient in that small trafficking offenses can be misdemeanors, whereas in Ohio, any trafficking in marijuana offense starts off as a felony.
Absent the monopoly issue, recreational marijuana in Ohio is probably still a few years away from being realistic.