Election 2023: Watch forum on State Issue 2, marijuana legalization effort

The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer and Spectrum News hosted a forum last week on Issue 2 - the recreational marijuana issue, which will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

You can now watch the forum on this newspaper's website. It will be available to view through Election Day and will air multiple times on Spectrum News 1.

The hour-long forum was moderated by Spectrum News anchor Curtis Jackson.

Panelists included Issue 2 supporters state Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, and Thomas Haren, partner and cannabis practice chair at Frantz Ward LLP, and Issue 2 opponents state Sen. Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, and Corinne LaMarca, director of development and national spokesperson for Parents Opposed To Pot.

More: What Ohioans need to know about November ballot issue to legalize recreational marijuana

The panelists answered questions from readers along with USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau reporters Haley BeMiller and Anna Staver and Spectrum News 1 reporter Samana Sheikh. The network includes The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and other newspapers around Ohio.

Haren said everything people need to know about Issue 2 can be found in the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. This means people have to be 21 to buy it and 21 to use it. The entire supply chain would be regulated, and it would generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue.

Weinstein said this is an issue whose time has come.

"When you look at a macro-perspective of the United States now, the majority of Americans are living in decriminalized states; we're surrounded by states that have either fully legalized or have taken significant beyond where Ohio is," Weinstein said. "In fact, we're losing Ohioans on a daily basis to that state up north for access to the market."

LaMarca opened with the story of her daughter, who was killed by a driver under the influence of marijuana.

"I wish I could tell you what happened to my daughter is a rare event, but it is not," LaMarca said. "I hope you think carefully about this decision. Think about my Jennifer and think about the countless others that are killed … on our roads. Think about the risks of making a powerful and addictive drug so widely available to our youth, and now legalization puts its stamp of approval upon it."

Panelists debate marijuana's effects on the economy

The Drug Enforcement Policy Center at Ohio State University estimates that by the time an adult-use program is up and running, it could generate over $400 million every year in tax revenue to the state, Haren said. The money would go to one of four places: 3% to general administrative costs, 25% to a new substance abuse and addiction fund administered by the state, 36% to a local host community fund and 36% to a new social equity and jobs fund.

"That chunk of money (equity fund) would be the largest investment in social equity causes in the state's history," Haren said.

Romanchuk said the 10% tax is very low, there would be no economic impact and the way to really help communities is to provide education and support their housing and food needs.

National estimates show police departments spend about $3.6 billion dollars a year enforcing marijuana laws, but LaMarca said one can't put a dollar sign on the cost of losing someone.

Romanchuk said Issue 2 will actually help the black market grow, which will not benefit law enforcement.

"Data is pretty clear; crimes goes up," Romanchuk said. "That's why Ohio law enforcement came out this week against Issue 2."

Haren accused the "No" campaign of trying to scare Ohio voters.

"Let's look at the data; let's look at what's actually happened … in the states that this has already happened," Haren said. "Crime has not increased; it's goes down because you free up law enforcement that now have the ability to investigate more serious crimes."

Tracing marijuana's effects on health

Some researchers have found marijuana can be beneficial for reducing grade inflammation, but research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates marijuana use can lead to early heart problems, early strokes and marijuana use disorder.

LaMarca said Ohio already has medical marijuana but she doesn't believe it has a medical benefit.

"Marijuana is a different drug than alcohol; it collects in the brain and … when they find it in the body, you can become chronically impaired by marijuana, so you can be impaired a lot," LaMarca said. "It also breaks down the brain barrier in the brain, so when you have a drink and you're using marijuana, it will intensify the effects."

Romanchuk followed up that the statute writes that the minimum THC level is 35% and possessing up to 2½ ounces of marijuana could make 200 joints.

However, Haren said THC percentage is capped at 35% under Issue 2 and it's a minimum not a maximum — it's the same cap under the existing medical marijuana program. There are still a slew of people who cannot participate in the medical marijuana program, and Haren said Issue 2 is for people who cannot participate.

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug at the federal level and Romanchuk believes it needs to stay on that list, but Haren said the rescheduling of marijuana is under review.

Marijuana regulations would be similar to those on alcohol

Violations for things like smoking in public and dealing to minors are mostly misdemeanors, and Haren said keeping these penalties would align with how alcohol is regulated. A liquor licenseholder may lose their liquor license for selling to minors, and the same thing would happen for marijuana.

Though, LaMarca said marijuana is easy to smell in public, whereas holding a drink in public doesn't affect anyone.

When it comes to the issue of teen vaping, Romanchuk believes vaping and marijuana use are two different things.

"Just to say that since vaping is currently allowed that somehow it's OK for marijuana to be allowed, it doesn't pass the commonsense test, in my opinion," Romanchuk said.

Weinstein said tobacco, alcohol and vaping are addictive and damaging to the body and in many cases more addictive than responsible adult marijuana use.

After Staver, Sheikh and BeMiller asked questions, panelists answered questions from the forum's live audience and from a pre-forum submission.

For those incarcerated with cannabis-related sentences, Weinstein said he has a bipartisan bill that includes expungement.

Romanchuk said expungement should be handled in the legislature, and if Issue 2 passes, there will be other pieces of legislation introduced to either change it or repeal it.

Weinstein, Haren, LaMarca and Romanchuk finished with their closing statements in support and opposition of Issue 2.

Kayla Bennett is a fellow in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism's Statehouse News Bureau.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Dispatch, Spectrum News hold forum on recreational marijuana