Pubdate: Wed, 08 Apr 2015
Source: Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Copyright: 2015 Morning Journal
Contact:  http://www.morningjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3569
Author: Richard Payerchin

CANDIDATES WEIGH IN ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Legalizing marijuana, an issue that Ohio voters could decide on in 
November, already is on the minds of candidates seeking elected 
office in Lorain in May.

On April 7, many of Lorain's current and hopeful office-holders 
gathered at El Centro de Servicios Sociales Inc. in South Lorain for 
the candidate forum sponsored by the Coalition for Hispanic/ Latino 
Issues & Progress, or CHIP, of Lorain.

At least 40 people crowded the second floor meeting area of El Centro 
for the forum billed as the foremost candidate event in the county 
before the May primary. The candidates who spoke are all Democrats 
who will have contested primary elections on May 5.

Even before the polls open on Election Day, many of the Lorain 
candidates were asked to explain their positions on legalizing 
marijuana, an issue that the group ResponsibleOhio hopes to have Ohio 
voters decide in November.

If Ohio voters approve medical and recreational use of the drug, 
Lorain is one of 10 cities around Ohio that could have a new growing 
and processing site. Such a facility could bring hundreds of jobs to 
the city, Mayor Chase Ritenauer has said.

But not all Lorain Council candidates support legal marijuana in Ohio.

If it is legalized, incumbent Councilman-at-large Joe Koziura said he 
would want to make sure the city has a processing facility. But for 
personal use, "actually I am not really in favor of marijuana," he said.

"I am absolutely not in favor of legalizing marijuana," said Mitch 
Fallis, an at-large candidate and current member of the Lorain school board.

At-large candidate Christopher Olejko said he has a problem with 
personal use of marijuana, but would support medicinal use of the drug.

Among the Ward 2 candidates, incumbent Councilman Dennis Flores said 
Lorain residents already are plagued by drugs.

"I think it's going to create more problems than it's going to 
solve," Flores said.

Ward 2 Challenger Ryan Horn said Ohio must catch up with the times 
and it is better to control the drug.

"Basically I'm in favor for whatever's best for the city," Horn said.

Ward 2 candidate Joseph Smith spoke most favorably of the proposal, 
although he noted he does not know all the facts of the proposal. 
Legalization would take the drug out of illegal sales and put it 
under control of the state.

"I'm basically in favor of it," he said.

Ward 3 candidates Pamela Carter and Max Schaefer generally spoke against it.

"It is out of control with drugs, period," she said. Carter added she 
has heard of some beneficial medical effects of the drug and it may 
be good if the substance THC is removed from the processed plant.

Schaefer said he would favor legalization for medical marijuana and 
growth of hemp for industrial use, but there are better options than 
recreational use.

Ward 7 challenger Samuel Mike Birach said it is up for the citizens 
to decide on the issue, but he has concerns about how Lorain might 
benefit if a marijuana processor sits on "prime real estate" of the 
city's industrial park.

Incumbent Ward 7 Councilman Joe Faga said Ritenauer made a good 
choice about getting the city involved with marijuana processing if 
it is legalized. While he does not use the drug recreationally, Faga 
said he would support marijuana processing if it is legalized by voters.

The question was not asked to every group of Lorain candidates who 
took seats at the table by twos and threes with moderators David 
Arredondo, Mary Santiago and Antonio Barrios. The others seeking 
office emphasized different issues facing Lorain.

Ward 6 candidates Matt Harkins and Angel Arroyo Jr. each emphasized 
how they aim to improve safety, attract jobs and increase Lorain's 
civic pride if elected.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom