Ohio cannabis legalization

I've followed it pretty closely. Honestly maybe the only issue i'll follow at all for election night tomorrow. Don't know how I'd vote if I was in Ohio. It is pretty appalling stuff. On the other hand it would be difficult to vote for continued prohibition. It is going to be very close.

As somebody who is not an Ohio resident, I'd love to see it passed. I indeed think it could have a domino effect to have a big mid-western state legalize. I've said all along that the thing that will finally make politicians in a lot of states notice and change is when neighboring states are collecting tax money. When you are in a state without ballot initiatives (and I think that includes most of the Eastern seaboard), you are stuck waiting on politicians to finally clue in while the western states with more direct ballot access legalize. Frankly I always thought Tennessee would be the first state close to VA to legalize. even though Ohio doesn't directly border VA, it is close enough to have significant impact.

Between the optimistic note of the presidential candidate statements (most of whom are coming to realize that weed legalization is a good stance politically except moron Chris Christie) and the 16-17 ballot initiatives that will be on statewide ballots in 2016, it may end up being close to a Tsunami. We really need a state like Ohio to go recreational to create that here on the East Coast.

There are other eastern states that have ballot initiatives, but they are certainly more widespread and significantly easier to access when you go further west.

Here are the big landmarks (in no particular order) I am really looking for as signposts:

1. Legalization in as Midwestern or maybe Southern state. Ohio would be great. Next year brings some other candidates including potentially Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Florida. None as close to us as Ohio. Some of those might be medical only, which I don't think is really moving the needle the way recreational would. Northeastern would be significantly close and Maine and Massachusetts are candidates for 2016, but I think they are culturally not a bellweather for the Midwest or southeast.

2. Legalization via the Legislative process. Maine is a likely candidate, they may not even wait for the ballot next November. Massachusetts and/or New York would be more significant because of size and are somewhat likely candidates.

3. California legalization. Really this should be a shoe-in for 2016 but it shows early signs of being again divided among competing campaigns, which sunk the last attempt. Polling shows a majority in favor of legalization across the country (really, check out some of the Gallop poll numbers, they are quite astounding in how quickly support is growing) but I think support for many people is not a really important issue, so lack of clarity, competing amendments, etc. can quickly sink an issue. Anyway, CA because of its size is an obvious big one.

4. Action at the federal level. Even rescheduling would be a big statement. Could come as a part of comprehensive criminal justice reform, but that is a big complicated issue. First time since 1976 that easing drug penalties has played a part in a presidential race (in '76 both carter and Ford endorsed decriminalization of marijuana) so at least it is on the minds and with a new president there is some hope of more substantive action. It is not a winning issue for politicians yet to come out in favor of legalization but it does seem to be a small positive. So far the action has mostly come from congress defunding specific enforcement actions. That is a long, slow slog.

One thing causing huge problems on the ground is the inconsistency between state and federal law--since it's still illegal federally in the legal states, legitimate businesses can't use banks or avail themselves of many sound business laws and processes--including bankruptcy in some circumstances. I wonder if insurance is at risk, since a casualty occurring during an illegal act often voids coverage.

The cash-only industry, forced to be so by the federal law, retains a criminal undercurrent and danger for legitimate businesses. And one reason to legalize is to remove the dangerous criminal element from the product/revenue stream.

Perhaps if/when more states legalize, the discrepancy and imbalance will become more pronounced, leading to reform at the federal level, or at least a workable system.

Definitely an issue, and not a small one. There's only one candidate I know of that's talking about making a change at a federal level. It's like a snake eating its tail: the feds, at best, want to adopt a wait and see approach, but the state-level retailers are hamstrung by banking issues because of federal law. But the feds don't want to do anything different until they wait and see. And round and round it goes...

They managed to completely confuse the masses so they didn't know what they were voting for. They just need to vote to legalize it & not confuse it with big business. Lets face it when the feds legalize cannabis it will all be big business.

It's not about who does or does not support something it's about who mobilizes their voters to get out and vote.

A couple of interesting points on the Ohio recreational vote. First half Sanders, second half un-sanders-related interview

Might be a good idea to know what the fuck you're talking about, cause you just spewed out a whole lot of bullshit

america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/12/17/marijuana-policy.html



I find it hilarious that at this point Cannabis is so accepted that the government is basically saying "Oh, you... now stop it! Or keep doing it and just pay a small fine. It's whatevs."

Sure. Now that I don't live near the border anymore...

Not a surprise, but thanks for the update.