Ohio

Addressing Concerns About Ohio’s Marijuana Legalization Bill

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Issue 3

After Colorado and Washington’s successful adventures into legalized marijuana, Ohio is now poised and ready to be the next state in the Union to participate in the marijuana experiment. Issue 3, a ballot measure championed (and paid for) by the political action committee ‘Responsible Ohio’, would drastically change marijuana laws in Ohio. According to Cleveland.com, adults 21 years or older would be legally permitted to smoke in their own homes, and would also be allowed to grow “up to four flowering plants at a time” after acquiring a $50 license. Individuals could legally possess “eight ounces of home grown marijuana and one ounce of purchased marijuana.” The commercial marijuana industry would be controlled by “10 growth, cultivation and extraction facilities,” and it would still be illegal for individuals not part of these facilities to sell marijuana themselves.

Issue 3 has so far proven controversial, with varied reasons amongst opponents. The Ohio Fraternal Oder of Police and Ohio Nurses Association, for instance, oppose the law on health and safety grounds. One officer said, “How can we keep children safe when adults can legally possess significant quantities of marijuana at home within easy reach…?” It should be noted that Issue 3 would prevent stores and facilities from operating within “1,000 feet of a church, school, library or daycare.” FOP also expressed other concerns, such as how Issue 3 does not provide any clear way to distinguish between in-state legal commercial marijuana and illegally trafficked marijuana from elsewhere.

WEED in OHIO

It should be noted, however, for those with reservations on the safety of marijuana potentially being near children in their homes, that death from a THC overdose is nearly impossible. According to the New Health Guide, “a fatal marijuana overdose in humans would take 40,000 times the amount of THC that it took to get them in high in the first place. In comparison, it would only take 5 to 10 times the amount of alcohol to get drunk to kill a human.” Issues on the drug’s safety primarily come from the possibility of small children consuming marijuana infused foods, which are often sold in the form of things children could be reasonably expected to eat, like brownies or other sweets. Children consuming these foods would not be at risk of death, but could potentially become seriously ill. Packages should be clearly marked and parents should be held responsible for their children’s health, but I do not feel this is grounds for outlawing the drug. Children have sadly been harmed by alcohol or firearms that have been improperly stored around the house, but these have never been successfully used as grounds for making them illegal. At some point, laws like this will have to assume that parents are capable of being responsible around their children.

Other concerns about Issue 3 have less to do with drug consequences and more to do with the 10 facilities privileged with selling the drug.  The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, decried Responsible Ohio for creating what they see to be a “marijuana monopoly.” They stated that “this exercise is only incidentally about ending prohibition and stopping the arrest of marijuana smokers; it is really about getting rich in a newly legal industry.” However, in spite of their criticisms, NORML ultimately endorsed Issue 3, while making it clear that they would prefer to see the system change some point down the line. Joining NORML in their support of issue 3 is the American Civil Liberties Union, who stated that “By voting yes on Issue 3, Ohio voters will begin to move our state away from senseless, wasteful drug prohibition and toward a system that is supervised, safe, efficient, legal, and operating under regulatory oversight.”

marijuana monopoly ohioConcerns about a monopoly of marijuana distributors is understandable but, in my eyes, overblown. Citizens would be permitted to grow their own marijuana should they prefer it to buying it in stores, and the marijuana industry would not be the first industry in Ohio that regulates who is and isn’t allowed to sell a product. The fact that the 10 companies responsible for selling marijuana are “owned or optioned by campaign investors who have raised more than $36 million to push the initiative” is disconcerting, however.

Then there are those who would argue that Ohio doesn’t need marijuana legalization at all, as Ohio already has some of the most lax possession laws in the country — with possession of under a 100g or possession of paraphernalia being considered only a misdemeanor punishable by a $150, which does not create a criminal record. Regardless, Issue 3 is facing a contender at the polls in Issue 2, a state constitutional amendment that would prevent “monopolies, oligopolies, and cartels from being written into the Ohio Constitution,” and was purposefully written to challenge Issue 3. The only exception to this would be if Ohio voters vote to allow an exemption to the law, but Issue 2 expressly prohibits this right from being extended to Schedule 1 substances like marijuana. However, Issue 2 has its own critics and defenders, which are beyond the scope of this article. Just know that if both issues pass, it will be up to the Ohio Supreme Court to decide which law will take precedent over the other.

Your move, Buckeyes.

This entry was posted in Politics, Social Issues, USA and tagged , , , , .

5 things to know today: April 9th, 2015

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1. Boston Conviction

The arrested suspect on trial for the Boston Marathon bombing was found guilty of his charges yesterday.  Dzhokhar Tsarnaev faces the possibility of getting the death penalty.

For more, visit: http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/live-news/2015/4/boston-bombing-verdict-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-convicted-on-all-30-counts.html

2. Is Ohio wrong?

A new bill introduced to the house floor in Ohio will seek to not require a conceal and carry license for certain Ohio residents.

For more, visit: http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/ohio/bill-would-let-gun-owners-carry-concealed-without-/nkqPM/

3. Converting

President Barack Obama will take steps towards eradicating conversion therapy.

For more, visit: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/238288-obama-to-make-push-against-conversion-therapies

4. Danger, Danger

This is a look into the fact that humans are forever impacting their environment.  Ten rivers in the US are now endangered as mining, pollution, and dams create hazardous environments.

For more, visit: http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/morning-news/2015/4/new-report-bring-fears-that-10-rivers-in-the-us-are-at-risk-of-extinction.html

5.Finances

We continue the updates on campaign finances.  A new group of super-pacs supporting Ted Cruz has predicted that it will have a total of $31 millions in financial support in one week.

For more, visit: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/238226-cruz-pacs-announce-massive-fundraising-haul

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Ohio Abortion Bill: Taking Regulation Too Far?

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Brief:

  • Republican controlled house passes the bill 55-40, moves on to the Ohio Senate
  • Ban abortion after first detectable heart beat: ~6 weeks
  • Ban abortion before most women know they are pregnant
  • Outrage heard from individual house members regarding instances of rape

Talking Points:

  • What are your thoughts regarding abortion?
  • If you are against abortion, would you make an exception for those who are raped? Why or why not?
  • Do you think the bill will be good or bad for the advancement of women’s rights?
  • What are you opinions on Roe v. Wade?

On Wednesday March 25, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill nicknamed “The Heartbeat Bill”, stating that women who are pregnant with a fetus cannot abort their pregnancy if a heartbeat is present. A fetal heartbeat tends to occur around 6 weeks into the pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant. This bill would also completely eliminate any extenuating circumstances regarding rape or incest, but would allow a mother who had serious health conditions to end the pregnancy. The bill passed 55-40 and will be moving onto the senate next.

This bill’s passage drew many emotional reactions, both in support and in anger of the bill. Ohio representative Teresa Fedor tearfully told her story of rape and subsequent abortion in front of the entire house. In an article written by the representative on the Time.com blog, she discusses what she said in her speech to the house and why she said the things that she did. She proclaimed,

“You don’t respect my reason, my rape, my abortion, and I guarantee you there are other women who should stand up with me and be courageous enough to speak that voice. What you’re doing is so fundamentally inhuman, unconstitutional, and I’ve sat here too long. I dare any one of you to judge me, because there’s only one judge I’m going to face. I dare you to walk in my shoes. This debate is purely political. I understand your story, but you don’t understand mine. I’m grateful for that freedom. It is a personal decision, and how dare government get into my business.” (Time.com)

Other representatives also became very passionate about the bill regarding its necessity to pass. One such representative, Christina Hagan, came forward and spoke of her birth in which her heart stopped multiple times while being born. However, her mother had not given up on her (usnews.com). Another representative mournfully spoke about his stillborn child that he wished could’ve taken a breath.

Interesting enough, many leading anti-abortion groups such as Ohio Right to Life have failed to support the bill. According to USNews, those in these groups think the heavy-handedness of the bill may cause it to infringe upon Roe v. Wade and result in more rights for those who want abortions. If major anti-abortion groups are opposing the bill, what does that mean if it passes? More information will come forward as the lobbyists have the rest of the term to vouch for their bill.

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Decision 2014 – The Race for Ohio’s 8th

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In less than a week, a round of elections will take place.  This round is not like any others.  It is one that most of us, and if possible, all of us should pay attention to.  It is the one immediately before the 2016 presidential election, and this round could start painting a less hazy image of the what the presidential race will be.  There’s no doubt that the democrats face a very daunting task of retaining their numbers in congress; while also trying to gain some momentum. There is no doubt that the democratic party has the strongest possible presidential candidates thus far, but key losses in these upcoming primaries may begin to harm the chances of having a second straight democratic president.

The second race to be highlighted in our midterm series is one that plays a significant importance in a district that I know very well.  It is also a race that could change the leadership up on Capitol Hill.  Current Speaker of the House and incumbent John Boehner campaigns to represent the people of Ohio’s 8th district.  He runs against a not so known opponent in Tom Poetter, a resident of southwest Ohio and an individual with years of experience in the field of education.  It really is the classic battle of experience versus change.

No one can question the vast experience that Speaker Boehner brings to the table.  The question that does come up is one of; if he has done enough lately to justify being elected once more.  My answer to that is no.  Speaker Boehner has done great in the fact that he has stood by his beliefs and has fought for what he thinks is right, but he has definitely put the needs of the people he represents in the rearview mirror.  Speaker Boehner has the experience, he has taken part in some governmental programs such as “no child left behind”, but when it comes down to representing the vast majority of his district, he has failed.

Speaker Boehner is well known for being one of the catalysts for the government shutdown; for sure a dark mark on his resume.  As the leader of the Republicans in Congress, he has ensured the failure of many of President Obama’s reforms.  As the Speaker of the House, he has not ensured that strong communication exists between himself and our President.  Another major dark mark on his resume is the lawsuit against President Obama; proving that he once again failed to see the bigger picture.

Speaker Boehner promises to reform Congress if elected once more.  The main reform he boasts of is making bills available to regular citizens three days prior to them being voted on.  Though his attempt at making Congress more open is there, it is not sufficient.  In today’s world, those of us representing the majority of the voting block demand more accountability.  Mr. Boehner I am sure is aware of this, but so far he has failed to address it.  This generation is not afraid of change, which is a fact that becomes a great weapon for any challenger.

Challenging Speaker Boehner is Tom Poetter.  New to the political scene, Mr. Poetter has done his due diligence to create a sense belief and hope amongst the voters of the 8th district.  He definitely has the advantage of being the newcomer.  Something most pundits may see as a weakness is in my opinion a strength. He has had time on his side as well.  Taking the fight to Speaker Boehner by hitting the campaign trail early on.  Tom Poetter’s presence in the district did shine a light on the fact that Speaker Boehner has had no presence at all in the district he represents.

Mr. Poetter has done his best to poke holes in his opponent’s arguments.  Another great advantage here is the fact that his experience in education allows him to bring in voters looking for reforms allowing for easier access to higher education.  Poetter promises to work on public schools, and argues strongly against the claimed positive results of the “no child left behind” program.

Overall, Speaker Boehner has not done enough to deserve another term.  Under his direction and guidance, the 113th Congress has by far been the least productive Congress.  If experience is what you want, then Speaker Boehner is your choice.  He has the quality and the position to make some real changes, if he actually puts aside his partisan mentality .  Our nation, is one that is by the people, and for the people.  Chance are given to those that show the desire, and opportunities should be taken away from those that have wasted them.  A fresh start is needed.  If you believe in that, then Tom Poetter is your choice.  He will bring an injection of freshness to Capitol Hill, and he has the drive to do right by the people he will represent.

 

 

http://www.poetterforcongress.com                                                              http://www.johnboehner.com

 

* None of these candidates are being endorsed.  We do not speak on behalf of them either.  The facts here are actual stances taken by each candidate*

 

This entry was posted in Midterm Elections 2014, Politics, USA and tagged , , , , .