Ohio Voters Reject Issue 3, Harshing the Mellows of Stoners Statewide
Square-ass and/or shrewd-ass Ohio voters rejected a ballot proposal to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes, reports the Associated Press. This is a tough blow for “Buddie,” guys.
The measure known as Issue 3 would have allowed adults 21 and older to use, purchase or grow certain amounts of marijuana. The constitutional amendment would have established a regulatory and taxation scheme while creating a network of 10 growing facilities.
The AP report cites low voter turnout and skepticism of the regulatory framework of Issue 3 as factors that likely led to its demise.
Interestingly, Issue 2 looks like it will pass, according to poll results published by cleveland.com. Issue 2, you will recall, is designed to prevent the kinds of monopolies baked into the structure of Issue 3, which would have created a drug cartel consisting of 10 farmers granted exclusive rights to grow marijuana in Ohio. The passage of Issue 2 would have nullified Issue 3 even if it had passed.
It may be better for proponents of legalization to see Issue 2 passed and Issue 3 rejected—now they can get to work on a legalization measure that does not establish a pot oligopoly.
