By Megan Alley
Sun staff
Voters in Clermont County and across the state rejected Issue 3, which would have legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana use and created 10 facilities with exclusive commercial rights to grow marijuana.
Organizers say they’re working to build a consensus for legislation that can pass as soon as 2016.
“We saw in polling that a majority of voters support medicinal and recreational marijuana,” said Ian James, executive director of Responsible Ohio, which organized the campaign for Issue 3. “It was pretty clear that it was the number of growers that they did not like – the oligopoly.”
He added, “After the vote, we looked at the issue and said to ourselves that it should be more than 10 growers. That being said, we’re also asking ourselves if there should there be any number on it, or if there should not be a number on it.”
Voters in Clermont County rejected Issue 3 with about 58.11 percent of voters voting against the amendment, according to unofficial results. The final vote was 33,083 to 23,847.
Votes across the state rejected Issue 3 with about 64.10 percent of voters voting against the amendment, according to unofficial results. The final vote was 2,003,641 to 1,122,386.
Mary Ferguson, of Union Township, voted against Issue 3.
“I think it’s more of a money deal than anything else,” she said.
Tate Township resident Donna Shouse said she voted against Issue 3 because of the limited commercial rights to grow marijuana.
“I don’t want it to go through,” Shouse said. “I think it will be a monopoly with the ones that get to raise the marijuana.”
D. Marie Pierce, of Pierce Township, and Annette Gatchett, of the village of Batavia, each said they voted against Issue 3 because of the oligopoly.
“I do not like the cartel aspect of the legislation,” Pierce said. “I feel there is a better solution.”
James said the Issue 3 campaign started and ended by listening to the voters. He said organizers have heard the voters loud and clear.
“We believe that the voters should have their say on this issue,” James said. “They told us that while they wanted legalization, they didn’t want it in the format presented.”
He added, “It’s imperative for us to have a broad conversation with supporters and advocates, medical and business communities, faith groups and more to learn what it is exactly that we should have in the law to end marijuana prohibition.”
James said marijuana prohibition is an abject failure. He acknowledged that some voters want to continue with the status quo, but said many voters have said they want to move forward with the right amendment.
Willard Cash, of Pierce Township, said he voted no on Issue 3 because he doesn’t want young people to have access to marijuana.
Patricia Cash and Pam Freeman, both of Pierce Township, each said they voted no on Issue 3 because they believe marijuana is a step to more dangerous drugs.
“I feel like marijuana is a gateway drug,” Freeman said, who does support medicinal marijuana.
James said it’s a fact that Ohioans consume marijuana on a regular basis. By keeping it illegal, he said, we are not addressing the underground black market.
“In fact, we’re keeping it well fed with financial support for their operations,” James added.
He added, “A majority of voters want legalization for adult personal use, and we’re working to build consensus on a ballot issue that will gain and sustain majority support.”
Ralph Black, of Union Township, said he voted for Issue 3.
“People should have the right to do whatever they want.”
Nicole Stonitsch, of the village of Batavia, also voted for Issue 3 because she thinks using marijuana should be an individual’s choice.
William Barnette, of Pierce Township, said he voted for Issue 3 because he thinks it’s a step in the right direction.
According to James, one upshot of the loss is that the Ohio legislature has now said that it wants to legalize medicinal marijuana for epileptic children.
“This issue been before the legislature for 19 years, and it has gone nowhere,” James said. “We are heartened by the sentiment.”
Peter Williams, of Union Township, voted for Issue 3 because the issue is personal for him; his grandson has epilepsy.
James added, “We’ll track progress of the issue to see what is passed, because it’s one thing to talk about it, but it’s another to see what is passed.”
Ed Sullivan, of Union Township, said he voted for Issue 3 because he thinks marijuana should be available for medical use.
“I don’t believe that kids should suffer,” he said.
Phillip Carter, also of Union Township, said he voted for Issue 3 because he believes children and the elderly should be able to have access to medical marijuana.
“I think medical marijuana is good,” he said.
James said the process to legalize marijuana is a journey, not a single step, and the funders of Issue 3 are resolute and want to end the prohibition of marijuana.
“I’m more energized than ever to legalize marijuana,” James said. “In life, business and campaigns, I’ve learned more in the failures than successes. Now, we know what to do, and what not to do.”
He added, “I am resolved to pass medical marijuana and legalize marijuana for personal use in Ohio.”