Commissioners oppose pot issue

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The County Commissioners Association of Ohio’s Board of Directors has voted to oppose state Issue 3 and support state Issues 1 and 2.

The CCAO board voted Monday to oppose Issue 3, which would legalize the growth and sale of recreational and medical marijuana in Ohio, while providing exclusive market grants to 10 investment groups.

“The passing of this ballot issue would effectively place a monopoly in the state constitution, thus giving specific benefits to a small and exclusive group and hurting Ohio’s business climate,” said Mike Halleck, association president and Columbiana County commissioner.

“Board members expressed concerns regarding the potential negative impact on public safety, social service programs and workforce competitiveness,” said Suzanne Dulaney, the association’s executive director.

The CCAO board voted to support Issue 2, an amendment proposed by the Ohio General Assembly that would prohibit the establishment of economic monopolies.

“Our constitution deserves to be treated with great deference and respect. Issue 2 will help guard against special interests using it as a tool to create a monopoly,” Halleck said.

The association’s board voted unanimously to support Issue 1, which would change how the state draws its legislative districts. The amendment would end the partisan process for drawing Ohio House and Senate districts and create a bipartisan redistricting commission.

“I appreciate the work that the General Assembly put into creating a redistricting proposal that had bipartisan support,” Halleck said.

“Our members appreciated the General Assembly’s goal of creating districts that are competitive and keeping counties and communities in the same district whenever possible,” Dulaney said.

CCAO represents county governments through legislative advocacy, education and training, technical assistance and research, quality enterprise service programs, and greater citizen awareness and understanding of county government.