Are we ready for the R.J. Reynolds of the MMJ industry?

Seniors MMJ Network
Apr 24, 2015
2 min read

Voters in Ohio will likely have that option in front of them on the November ballot. The measure, upon voter approval, would legalize the recreational and medical use of Marijuana for persons who are 21 years of age or older. However, many are calling the measure put forth by ResponsibleOhio, a monopoly on Marijuana. Under this plan, there will only be 10 Marijuana producers allowed in the state, all of them would be owned by the financial backers of this measure. Coincidence?

It's a sneaky backdoor for big business to reap profits. The Marijuana advocacy community is oddly split on this proposal. In one corner, you have the group that contends, any step forward is a good step. Others say that creating a monopoly in Ohio is not the right direction and a more measured approach should be considered. Medical Marijuana groups are concerned over the quality of medicine that the 10 commercial operations will produce but they welcome the option to legally medicate.

There are more things to consider than the individuals right to consume Marijuana at stake. These nuances often escape the casual observer.

Legalization will also mean decriminalization. For some supporters, that equates to an improvement in quality of life for lower income communities and many minorities who are often unproportionately profiled and arrested for minor Marijuana offenses.

Court and Jail systems are burdened by small, non-violent Marijuana offenses at the expense of our tax dollars. Instead of money going out, legalization supporters suggest that millions of tax dollars will come into the system, as demonstrated in Colorado and Washington.

Medical Marijuana patients have a valid concern. Many patients have compromised immune systems. Commercial agriculture is synonymous with pesticides. Massive Marijuana farms like the ones proposed will undoubtedly use a variety of chemicals to increase yields and reduce insect damage.

Handing over all of the production to a limited number of wealthy businesses is a bad idea. Like any business, they are driven by profits. Large scale producers have a track record of focusing on high potency strains, they sell very well in the recreational markets. Unfortunately, the best medical strains don't get a person very high, thus, they have a low demand comparatively. With little incentive to focus on the cultivation of beneficial Medical Marijuana strains, how well will the people who need this most be served?

ResponsibleOhio has one more hurdle to getting this measure on the November ballot. They need to collect 305,591 signatures by July 1. They report that they are off to a good start.

Will the Marijuana advocates of Ohio stand behind the creation of this monopoly when it comes time to vote? What do you think? Join the conversation on Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/seniorsMMJnetwork