Election Guide: Ohio Issue 3

State Issue 3: The proposed Marijuana Legalization Amendment

What it's about: Legalizing marijuana in Ohio.

What it would do: Passage would create a Marijuana Control Commission that would regulate and tax marijuana cultivation, processing, testing and retail sales in Ohio; eliminate all penalties on possession of one ounce of marijuana; organize the growing of the commercial crop on 10 farms around the state (three in Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties), create a $50 annual fee to permit home growing of four flowering plants, pave the way for a nonprofit system of dispensaries for medical marijuana.

How things are now: Marijuana is illegal but decriminalized. Possession of one ounce is a $150 ticket. Selling marijuana, however, is a felony.

What happens if it passes: The Ohio Constitution would be amended with Issue 3, and its provisions take effect in 30 days. The governor must appoint the seven members of the Marijuana Control Commission within 45 days. The commission writes regulations to govern the industry including the operation of the 10 farms, the quality standards for the crop and establishment of the retail stores, which can only sell marijuana from the Ohio sites.

What happens if it fails: Marijuana will remain illegal. But the conversation about legalization will most likely go on in the legislature and on the 2016 ballot.

Argument for: Prohibition has failed. The War on Drugs is waged in a discriminatory, even racist fashion. A new industry in Ohio could bring in more than $2 billion in revenue by 2020, 85 percent of which would go to counties, cities and town. Sick adults and children would have access to a natural medicine with a 5,000-year history of use among humans.

Argument against: Issue 3 unfairly concentrates the production in the small group of at least 20 private investors who will run the 10 farms. Children would have greater access to marijuana, which could endanger their health. Teenagers could start using earlier in life, possibly leading to other, harder drugs. The Ohio Constitution should not be used to create special economic rights or tax structure.

Who's for it: Incoming Cincinnati Health Department Medical Director O’Dell Owens, City Council Members Chris Seelbach and P.G. Sittenfeld, the ACLU of Ohio, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (although the state chapter has yet to weigh in), former state Sen. Eric Kearney, Locals 75, 880, 1059 of United Food and Commercial Workers in Ohio.

Who's against it: A group called No on 3 has organized more than 70 groups across the state against the initiative, including the Ohio Bankers League, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Chief Probation Officers Association, the Ohio Hospitals Association and the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association.

Websites for more information: responsibleohio.com, noissue3.com

Read the language:

Required for passage: Majority vote.