Voters in Ohio Reject Marijuana Legalization Amendment - New York Times
Ohio Now a Battleground State For Marijuana - CBS News
Ohio Marijuana Legalization: Investors Insist There's No Monopoly - CNN Money
On Election Day, Ohio decisively voted against a statewide measure, called Issue 3, that would allow for the use of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes throughout the state. At first glance, it seems as if this is a loss for those in favor of legalizing marijuana. They believed that if Ohio, a political battleground state, were to legalize marijuana, other states would follow. However, this issue is not as black and white as legalization has been in many other states.
Prior to Election Day, polls done in Ohio had shown that the majority of Ohio citizens were in favor of legalization, so why was it voted down? The reason it was rejected had to do with its economics and the issue of monopoly. Issue 3, while legalizing the use of marijuana, would have put huge limits on its sale. If it had been passed, only marijuana grown from 10 farms (which are operated by the 25 investors who funded the measure and its campaign) could be sold. Citizens would be able to grow marijuana for personal use, but they could not sell it. Many people, including those in favor of marijuana legalization, campaigned against the measure due to the monopoly it would give these investors. Instead of allowing a free market to emerge, passing Issue 3 would lead to a few wealthy investors controlling the entire marijuana economy in the state, which they can manipulate for their own gain. Although they want marijuana legalized, they believe it would be better to wait for a new measure that discourages monopoly in the industry to be passed. On the other hand, people in favor of the measure argue that 10 competing farms is not a monopoly and that they deserve to have a lot of power over the marijuana economy, due to their important roles in getting it legalized and all the money they spent (which totaled to over $20 million).
If you were an Ohio voter who favored the legalization of marijuana, would you vote against Issue 3 because of its economic issues? Do you consider the power the investors would have had over the marijuana economy to be a monopoly, even if there are 10 separate farms competing? Is the control given to the investors by Issue 3 unfair, or is it justified?
The disparity between support for legalization and actual votes demonstrates how although parts of the nation are in favor of legalization, most aren't in favor of legalization with restrictive measures imposed on it. The Ohio restrictions would have been effectively a monopoly, even if there were 10 farms, and would have been complicated even further had there been national legalization before the monopoly's time was up. The public support towards legalization shows it will happen eventually, but in Ohio's case not this year.
ReplyDeleteThe legalization of marijuana is more than just an issue of being legally able to use a substance that is enjoyable to some. It is also a source of income and is/could be a huge industry. By allowing a few big farms to have control over the selling of marijuana, it takes away the majority of the benefits that are associated with its legalization. If it means that there will be a wait, I do not think that marijuana should be under the control of a few farms in Ohio.
ReplyDeleteIf I were an Ohio voter who favored the legalization of marijuana, I feel that I would not vote against Issue 3. Most people want it legalized to smoke it, not to sell it. If people were able to get the drug and smoke it without any legal issues, they would most likely not care if there was a monopoly. Furthermore, I do not believe that 10 competitors is a monopoly especially because I guarantee that former dealers would still illegally sell the product, so they would have little to worry about.
ReplyDeleteBK brings up a good point concerning the effects of legalization on the black market. Would law enforcement increase its attempts to stop illegal marijuana sales given the fact so many would be able to consume it legally?
ReplyDeleteOregon is the state with the least restrictions, so it can be a case study as to whether or not a free market can eliminate illegal sales.
The legalization of marijuana has many economic and societal implications. Economically, the growing and selling of marijuana opens up a new market. Socially, legalization allows for a new social culture to grow where marijuana is seen as more of a norm. The fact that voters in Ohio voted down Issue 3 is telling of the fact that they are willing to wait for legalization without the caveat of allowing 10 farms to have a monopoly over the business. The monopoly is clearly the stipulation that troubled most of the voters, and until it has been reduced or rescinded, Ohio voters will wait.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would have voted against Issue 3 because it was drafted in such a way to create a monopoly over the marijuana market, and would have severely limited free market enterprise. Although on paper the market would have been distributed between 10 farms, the fact that there were a total of only 25 investors who controlled all 10 farms is clearly a situation that would promote monopolization over the Ohio marijuana industry, which is entirely unjustified especially in context of America's tradition of free market enterprise, especially at the agricultural level.
ReplyDeleteI would also vote against ISsue 3. The inconsistency of the government transitioning from a free market economy to one that which is monopolized foreshadows conflict and further debate. Because the marijuana industry is/can become so significant in society, as Lucy previously mentioned above, it can be detrimental to one's personal income. By enabling people to have ample access to this drug, regardless of their circumstances, the government essentially is perpetuating fatal health habits through allowing the drug to be used as one's desires, and depriving the user/dealer of the economic benefits. Issue 3 displays a double-negative, and should be better implemented in the future
DeleteIf I was an Ohio voter who favored the legalization of marijuana, I would vote against Issue 3 because of its economic issues and because the Issue is very limiting. Even though there will be ten separate marijuana farms competing against each other, the industry will still be monopolized. In addition, only allowing for ten farms will be limiting and will raise many issues that will call for excessive government involvement.
ReplyDeleteIf I was an Ohio voter I would have voted against Issue 3 because I believe in the necessity of a free market in which anybody can compete. It seems unfair to let only a few (even if a few is 10) farms control the entire Ohio marijuana industry. I do not like how intertwined American lobbying and policy are, which is exemplified by this issue. It is good that this issue was killed.
ReplyDeleteIf I was an Ohio voter I would have voted against Issue 3 because I believe in the necessity of a free market in which anybody can compete. It seems unfair to let only a few (even if a few is 10) farms control the entire Ohio marijuana industry. I do not like how intertwined American lobbying and policy are, which is exemplified by this issue. It is good that this issue was killed.
ReplyDeleteI would have voted against issue 3, because of the economic limits that would come with it. Only 10 farms would be in control of marijuana for the entire state, which shows how limited and monopolized Ohio's situation would be. In relation to an entire state, 10 is a very small number. Likewise, if the control is under a mere 25 investors, there would be an increased likeliness of corruption and monopolization throughout the marijuana industry.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a supporter of marijuana then I would vote against issue 3. I agree with Nathan that there should be a free market and everyone should be able to make a profit. However, marijuana is a touchy topic for some, so I understand where they are coming from. They are monopolizing it in order to regulate and make sure there is no illegal distribution.
ReplyDeleteThe legalization of marijuana is a hard topic for some. It was a good thing that the issue was killed because there should be more farms in Ohio controlling the organization and not just the few that were. Everyone should be able to make a profit.
ReplyDeleteI would vote for Issue 3 because the legalization of marijuana is necessary and beneficial. I do not believe in monopolies however and think that everyone should be able to make a profit. The legalization of marijuana would help Ohios economy a lot.
ReplyDeleteI would vote against issue 3. Although a majority of people support the legalization of marijuana, they do not want the restrictions that go along with it. This legalization will happen eventually, but it will not be passed unless people are protected by economic fairness and opportunity. Even with 10 farms, there would still be a monopoly.
ReplyDeleteI was voted for the legalization of marijuana because no matter what, legalization would prove beneficial to individuals and to the state economy as a whole. I don't believe it is necessarily a monopoly. Though some people may say it's not ideal, marijuana is still a drug and should be controlled by professional farms.
ReplyDeleteI was voted for the legalization of marijuana because no matter what, legalization would prove beneficial to individuals and to the state economy as a whole. I don't believe it is necessarily a monopoly. Though some people may say it's not ideal, marijuana is still a drug and should be controlled by professional farms.
ReplyDeleteI would have voted against issue 3. It is important to give everybody the chance to compete in a free market environment. The fact that the government would be controlling and regulating the sale of marijuana is unfair to all businesses because it is monopoly. The control given to the investors is not justified because there is no reason as to why some people should be shut out of their businesses.
ReplyDeleteI would have voted against issue 3. It is important to give everybody the chance to compete in a free market environment. The fact that the government would be controlling and regulating the sale of marijuana is unfair to all businesses because it is monopoly. The control given to the investors is not justified because there is no reason as to why some people should be shut out of their businesses.
ReplyDeleteIf I were an Ohio voter I would want the legalization of marijuana, regardless of issue 3. This would be in my favour since it would legalize it, thus I wouldn't have to hide or fear the state police upon using the product. Since issue 3 only bars the sale of marijuana and not being able to home grow it, I couldn't care less since I wouldn't have to buy it from anyone and everyone else could just grow the plant anyways. And even if only a few competitors would be selling the product, that won't stop other people from selling it illegally as it hasn't stopped in Colorado either, where marijuana is already legally sold in stores.
ReplyDeleteAs a strong supporter of marijuana legalization I too would have voted down Issue 3. It promotes monopolies and misconduct in our government that could be detrimental in the long run. Very disappointed to see this was the case in Ohio.
ReplyDeleteAs a strong supporter of marijuana legalization I too would have voted down Issue 3. It promotes monopolies and misconduct in our government that could be detrimental in the long run. Very disappointed to see this was the case in Ohio.
ReplyDeleteI probably would have voted against Issue 3 because it seems like a massive monopoly confined to far too few businesses. I think that regardless of how the issue is approached, the marijuana industry will be monopolized because it's a potentially huge market, I just think there shouldn't be a limit on the number of farms that can sell their product.
ReplyDeleteIf I were an Ohio votes I would want the legalization of marijuana, regardless of issue 3. I agree with what Ben K. said above in that people are not in favor of selling the drug the want to become users of it legally. I also agree with what he said about the market for marijuana not being a monopoly yet because the overall market has not taken off yet and has not become as popular. The control given to them is justified.
ReplyDelete