Trumbull commissioners to vote on resolution opposing Issue 3

Staff report

WARREN

Trumbull County commissioners are expected today to approve a resolution opposing State Issue 3, which would legalize recreational and medical marijuana in Ohio.

Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa said the commissioners have listened to the addiction and treatment experts at agencies such as the Mental Health and Recovery Board, who believe marijuana is a “gateway drug” to more-dangerous drugs, such as heroin.

Cantalamessa said he won’t speak for the two other commissioners, but he thinks the resolution will be approved.

Among the reasons the resolution gives for opposing Issue 3 are:

“Issue 3 places in the Ohio Constitution a billion- dollar marijuana monopoly for a small group of wealthy investors, gives them exclusive rights to commercial marijuana profits in Ohio, and insulates them from any business competition or act of the Legislature.”

It “permits investors to set their own preferential tax rates directly in the Ohio Constitution, rates that cannot be changed by the Legislature like those on beer, wine and tobacco.”

And “our children will be put at risk by legalizing marijuana-infused products, such as marijuana brownies, marijuana cookies and marijuana candy [lollipops and gummy bears] which pose a very attractive treat to young children.”