Legalized pot dominates most of tonight's candidates, issues session in Boardman

BOARDMAN — Township voters got the chance tonight at an event organized by the Boardman Civic Association to learn about the issues and candidates they will see on the ballot Nov. 3.

Presentations covered these issues: levy proposals from the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman School District, Boardman Township and Boardman Township Park, and marijuana legalization.

Candidates for two spots on the school board and one township trustee position also made their cases to the crowd.

The topic that drew some of the most questions was the proposed amendment to the state constitution that, if approved, would allow the production and sale of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes.

Brian Kessler – a representative of ResponsibleOhio, the group behind the initiative – pitched the proposal as a safety measure.

“It’s already here. ... Let’s get it managed and regulated,” he said of the pot industry. “The reality is, everyone gets exposed to pot, whether they try it or not. ... I want it to be safe like beer.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com