Pro-marijuana issue bus rolls into Lancaster

LANCASTER – The ResponsibleOhio Green Rush Bus Tour rolled into Lancaster on Thursday to try to sway people who were seeking more information about legalizing marijuana.

A proposal on the November ballot would create 10 commercial pot farms in specific locations across Ohio and allow residents to grow up to four flowering plants for their own use.

For Patti and Mitch Eck, Lancaster, it was a chance to talk to people about the ballot issue

“I support legalization,” Mitch Eck said. “But I’m not sure about them creating a monopoly to do it.”

Patti Eck said she supported legalization of marijuana, especially for medicinal purposes.

“It can really help some people who have medical problems like seizures,” she said.

Haley Phillippi, bus tour spokeswoman for ResponsibleOhio, said the goal of the tour was to answer people’s questions about the ballot issue.

“This is the second week we’ve been on the bus tour and have stopped at about two dozen locations, both large cities and small, and have received a good reception,” Phillippi said. “We are going to try and hit as many locations as possible.”

The tour will make more than 150 stops in local communities and college campuses across Ohio to raise awareness about Issue 3, ResponsibleOhio’s initiative to legalize medical marijuana and personal use marijuana for adults older than age 21.

Issue 3 will be on the November ballot along with a countering proposal from lawmakers to ban economic monopolies in the state constitution. If both pass, a lawsuit is likely to decide what happens.

The idea of economic monopolies, the 10 commercial farms created by the ballot issue, also was concern for other residents who stopped by the bus parked in front of the Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

“I came up to see what was going on,” said Dave Woolsey, of Lancaster. “I’m for legalization, but this has been set up like some big pharmaceutical program, where only a few can make millions. I don’t support the monopoly.”

The Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association 19-member board, which represents Ohio’s 88 sheriffs, voted unanimously to oppose the legalization of marijuana. Legalizing marijuana would lead to more impaired driving and confusing workplaces where drug testing employees would be chaotic, according to Bob Cornwell, executive director of the association.

Dennis Lowe, commander of the Major Crimes Unit, said law enforcement was against the legalization.

“Their arguments are disingenuous. I’ve been in narcotics for 37 years and have never arrested a person for a small amount of pot,” Lowe said. “We’ve arrested people for larger amounts of pot that has been reduced to possession charges.”

Lowe said he also thinks the medical arguments for legalization marijuana are not proven. As for money being raised for the state, Lowe said the big cash bonanzas expected when the lottery and gambling was legalized didn’t materialize, and he doesn’t think one will this will either.

Ron Stoughton, a Lancaster attorney, said he supported legalization of marijuana.

“I’ve been working in this field for 37 years, and the criminalization of marijuana use has been a black hole swallowing up resources and money,” Stoughton said.

He also said it had affected many family and people’s lives.

“It should be treated like alcohol,” Stoughton said.

He said the state could control it with something like the state liquor agency system allowing stores obtaining licenses to sell it, with the state collecting revenue from the licenses and sales.

He said punishment should be based on the actions of an individual under the influence, like alcohol is treated today.

But for Sherry Waters, of Lancaster, just being in front of the sheriff’s office and talking about legalization of marijuana was amazing.

“It’s on my bucket list,” Waters said. “I just want to see marijuana use be legalized before I die, and I’m not getting much younger.”

cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @CarlBurnettJr