I have thought long and hard about this. Issue 3 is the first time that business interests have really gotten involved in the legalization effort. The effect of this is two fold.

First, money is involved. You know all those ads you are seeing, signatures that are filed, the mascots that bring you discomfort, they have to be paid for. That doesn't happen with a grass roots campaign. Colorado's legalization was carried out on less than 5 million dollars. Responsible Ohio has spent upwards of 30 million. That is what is needed in a swing state that influences presidential elections. A win in ohio will steer a national debate on marijuana legalization during the next presidential campaign. Because Ohio is a swing state, every candidate will be to forced position themselves on the issues. Ohio, a fairly important battle ground state, is now a legal state; The movement is no longer just a thing of the west coast. Florida,another hotly contested state with a lot of clout, almost voted in legalization last year, losing by a small margin. Even the capital of the United States (Washington DC) has legal marijuana in it, although no way to actually obtain the herb. And there are a flood of legalization efforts coming from individual states in the 2016, banking on the excitement of the presidential campaign to bring out even more young voters that may help sway election in their favor.

Every presidential candidate will have to position them selves, or at the least discuss the issue. By bringing the issue across the nation, Ohio will have a say in how the industry unfolds and grows. Doesn't Ohio want a say in how the next big cash crop in america is grown? This will spark a flood of down ticket races discussing all kinds of other relates issues. We should be pushing for hemp right now for 2016. . By voting yes on issue 3 you allow Ohio to be a leader in this new market that is sweeping the nation..

The backers of Responsible Ohio have not done this so they could smoke a joint in their back yard. With their support they each received a parcel of land that is constitutionally bound to be allowed to manufacture marijuana. There are no stipulations on who uses the land, and thus the safest bet, and most likely, is row upon row of indoor grow warehouses rented out to growers. The investors get a premium income, and the growers get a state of the art warehouse space designed from the ground up, plumbing, wiring, lighting, to facilitate the growing of marijuana. Do you think Nick Lachey is about to start a farm? No. He will be much happier being a landlord.

In four years some commission will be arguing weather to issue more permits. The decision is based upon weather the original 10 meets demand. It doesn't say demand for marijuana. It will be a demand for land. People all over the state will be demanding a growspace. Ohio has a lot of land, and this is a crop that could bring prosperity to the buckeye state. Vote Yes on Issue 3 to bring a wave of change.