Supporters of a group sending a marijuana legalization amendment to voters this fall say they're planning a statewide bus tour to promote the issue. But opponents to the idea are also mobilizing. From our Statehouse Bureau Jo Ingles reports.
ResponsibleOhio's Faith Oltman says the constitutional amendment, which would allow ten growing sites in Ohio and regulate the retail sale and possession of pot, would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for Ohio's local governments, would help sick Ohioans, and would keep pot away from people under 21.
But a coalition of opponents made up of health care leaders, businesses, politicians and more point out it would allow for more than 1150 retail stores, more locations than Starbucks or McDonalds, and nearly three times the number of state liquor stores. And Republican former Attorney General Betty Montgomery says it's important to remember big investors would benefit from the deal.
"This is not about the freedom to smoke marijuana. It is all about money," Montgomery says.
Oltman says the opposition to her issue just wants to protect the status quo.
"Their unfortunate stance means they are protecting drug dealers who don't pay taxes, care about sick people, create legitimate jobs or i.d. kids before they sell to them," Oltman says.
Oltman says her group will have about $20 million to air television ads for the proposal.