Pubdate: Fri, 30 Oct 2015
Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH)
Copyright: 2015 The Columbus Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.dispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93
Author: Bill Bond

ISSUE 3 BACKERS AREN'T TELLING YOU EVERYTHING

The contradiction of Issue 3 is that ResponsibleOhio will not be 
responsible for anything but the profit. The taxpayers and the state 
of Ohio will be the ones who would be responsible for compliance with 
this outrageous constitutional amendment.

ResponsibleOhio claims that there have not been known deaths from 
marijuana overdose, but it does not address the many deaths from 
marijuana use. These deaths resulted from activities that the 
deceased participated in while under the influence of this 
mind-altering substance and deaths when marijuana use led to the use 
of other narcotics.

Marijuana is the bicycle with training wheels on the road to heroin addiction.

Impairment of the mind due to drug use prior to performing tasks 
requiring mental dexterity is obviously not in the best interests of 
public safety. The effects of alcohol are readily apparent during the 
first few hours after excessive consumption but usually are minuscule 
the next day. Marijuana impairment is not readily apparent, and the 
lingering effects last much longer.

With edible marijuana-laced products, determining the vehicle 
operator's impairment prior to the operator entering the driver's 
seat or cockpit will be impractical, if not impossible.

According to ResponsibleOhio's propaganda, there will be additional 
tax revenue and many jobs created. The majority of jobs created will 
be in the public sector (Marijuana Control Commission, case workers, 
treatment centers, halfway houses, judges, law-enforcement personnel 
and drugprevention counselors).

Although the state of Ohio's Office of Business Management predicts 
an optimistic flow of tax revenues, the office underestimates the 
public's monetary costs and doesn't consider the mental anguish that 
will be borne by the families and friends of the victims.

ResponsibleOhio wrongly claims that illegal drug dealers will be 
eliminated. Marijuana is used now by drug dealers as a "starter kit" 
for transitioning their customers to harder drugs. With the 
legalization of recreational marijuana, drug dealers now can 
distribute their starter kits without concern about being arrested.

The use of medical marijuana is craftily woven into Issue 3. 
Prescribing and using medical marijuana is a separate and important 
issue. Medical marijuana must not be the poster child in Responsible 
Ohio's effort to establish their drug cartel. Please vote no on Issue 3.

BILL BOND

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