Ohio leaders seek to block special-interest ballot issues

June 17, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

The heads of the Ohio House and Senate say they’ll move a resolution before their summer recess aimed at blocking private groups from seeking voter approval for constitutional amendments that create monopolies that financial benefit private groups.

House Joint Resolution 4, which was formally introduced Tuesday, could block ResponsibleOhio’s efforts to legalize marijuana production, sales and use in the state.

“This issue of constitutionally protected monopolies, or putting private property rights in the constitution, is something that has troubled us,” said Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina.

ResponsibleOhio is opposing the move.

“For 18 years, state lawmakers have stalled on an issue that the majority of Ohioans now support,” Ian James, executive director of the group, said in a released statement. “These politicians trusted the voters enough to elect them, but when faced with an issue they disagree with, lawmakers want to deny voters the right to decide. No other state has done this; no other state has passed a constitutional amendment to limit voters’ rights. In this zealous attempt to stop marijuana legalization, lawmakers are also leading an unenviable effort that will protect drug dealers and the black market.”

ResponsibleOhio has proposed a structure to regulate marijuana production and sales in the state. Its amendment outlines 10 sites where marijuana could be grown, including locations in Hudson in Summit County and Alliance in Stark County, and five testing facilities to check drug supplies for potency and safety, including a site in Mahoning County.

Retail sales of the drug would be taxed at 5 percent, while growers and processors would pay a 15 percent tax on their purchases.

The group said last week it has collected more than 550,000 signatures on petitions, well above the 300,000-plus required to qualify for the ballot. It plans to submit those signatures by early July, the deadline for the November general election.

Some lawmakers and Republican state Auditor Dave Yost have voiced opposition to the plan, saying it would create a monopoly for specified growers within the state constitution.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, said, “This is not acceptable to the people of the state of Ohio, and it’s not something we should continue to be OK with.”