Answers to some key questions about Issue 3

By ANN SANNER

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohioans will decide in the Nov. 3 election whether to legalize marijuana for medical reasons and recreational use, a vote that could shift the state from entirely outlawing pot to allowing it for all uses.

The proposed constitutional amendment, known as Issue 3, would make marijuana legal for adults 21 and older to use, purchase or grow in limited quantities. The lengthy ballot initiative lays out a regulatory and taxation scheme for cannabis and creates a network of 10 authorized growing facilities, which have already attracted private investors.

Here are answers to some key questions about the proposal:

Q. What are the arguments behind the pot plan?

A. Backers of legalization say passage of the amendment would get rid of failed marijuana laws that have contributed to the incarceration of thousands of nonviolent drug offenders and allow doctors and caregivers to provide pot to sick patients. Supporters claim the proposal would create jobs and generate tax revenue for communities.

Opponents include business and farmers’ groups, law enforcement associations and medical organizations. They cite the potential for pot-infused products to end up in children’s hands, workplace safety issues and other concerns. Critics also argue it lets a small group of investors create a billion-dollar marijuana monopoly.

Q. Who would regulate marijuana under the plan?

A. The proposal creates a new agency called the Ohio Marijuana Control Commission, whose seven members would be appointed by the governor. The commission would set rules for growing, processing, testing, taxing, distributing and selling marijuana, medical marijuana and marijuana-infused products, such as candy, baked goods and other edibles.

It would license marijuana-growing facilities, consumer retail stores across the state and not-for-profit medical marijuana dispensaries. Commission members would set requirements on chemical content and potency of pot-infused products.

Q. Where would grower sites be located?

A. The designated sites are in Butler, Clermont, Delaware, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Stark and Summit counties. These would be the wholesalers that grow, cultivate and extract marijuana for commercial sale or medical use.

Q. Who would qualify to use medical marijuana?

A. People with debilitating medical conditions could get medical marijuana at nonprofit dispensaries if they have a certification from their doctor. Patients don’t have to be 21. Those younger than 18 would need a parent’s permission.

Q. Could people without a medical condition buy marijuana?

A. Yes, in an arrangement similar to today’s liquor stores, retail stores would be licensed to sell to those age 21 and older. The proposal potentially allows for more than 1,100 such establishments, a number arrived at based on the state’s population.

Q. Could Ohioans grow it at home?

A. Yes, with certain restrictions. Home-growers would pay a $50 registration fee with the commission. They could not have more than four flowering marijuana plants and eight ounces of usable homegrown marijuana at a given time for personal use. Adults could share a certain amount of pot.