Issue 3 would amend Ohio’s constitution to legalize the use of marijuana and make it the fifth state in the nation to reverse the policy of prohibition, following Colorado, Oregon, Alaska and Washington.
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This marijuana campaign is highly unusual, because it is the first of its kind to be nearly entirely funded by the “investors”, who will profit from it. Modeled after Ohio’s restrictive casino measure, Issue 3 would restrict commercial rights to grow marijuana to the 10 investment facilities owned by major investors who spent millions to back the initiative. It would allow adults over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of pot at a time, and grow up to six plants.
Many people were surprised when former Mr. Jessica Simpson and semi-famous singing heartthrob Nick Lachey voiced his support for Issue 3 in a 30 second ad.
On Tuesday, Ohio residents go to the polls to decide whether marijuana should be legal.
When asked why the ad fails to mention Lachey’s investor status, ResponsibleOhio Executive Director Ian James told WCPO sister station WEWS that reference to it would “miss the point”.
The 2016 presidential election is officially a full year away (ugh, is anyone else exhausted yet?), but that doesn’t mean this election day isn’t high stakes: In fact, it could make 98 Degrees heartthrob Nick Lachey (whom Backstreet fans absolutely watched on the side) a marijuana mogul in his home state of Ohio.
The concern most frequently voiced by citizens is that it limits the entire marijuana market in Ohio to 10 people and their businesses.
“Should both proposed measures be approved, the anti-monopoly amendment put forth by the legislature would go into effect first and its provision banning a monopoly from inclusion in the constitution would serve as an effective roadblock to ResponsibleOhio’s amendment taking effect”, Husted said in a statement.
“We’re not seeing any uptick with interest with Issue 3 like we originally thought, so I think we’re going to be mirroring 2013”, McDonald said. Also on the ballot is Issue 2.
The measure itself could be hard for voters to agree with, because in addition to marking a more dramatic shift than other states that have legalized marijuana – from possession being illegal to fully legalizing medical and recreational use – the measure includes the word “monopoly”.
Even if the ballot issue passes today, it might not be settled.
Issue 3 supporters said the sites don’t form a monopoly because they could add more if the demand grows.
The campaign has poured at least $12 million into ads delivering different messages to voting blocs around the state, but it also faced a well-organized opposition campaign led by children’s hospitals and public safety advocates opposed to increased access to pot and products containing marijuana.
“I think a lot of people in Ohio seem to want to see something done on medical marijuana, something reasonable”, he said. Issue 2 will also be decided on Tuesday.
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Recent polls were split down the middle for legalizing recreational use in Ohio.
