Issue 2: Most Cincinnati council candidates support legalizing recreational marijuana
This November, Cincinnati voters will be voting on Issue 2. If passed, it would legalize recreational marijuana, allowing Ohioans age 21 and older to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana except extract.
The Enquirer asked candidates for Cincinnati city council if they supported Issue 2, and why. Here's what they said.
Anna Albi
"Yes. And after we legalize recreational marijuana, we should pass a second measure to expunge all previous marijuana charges. "
Jeff Cramerding
"Yes."
Reggie Harris
"Yes, AND it should have had a restorative justice piece expunging records."
Mark Jeffreys
"Yes. This is not a major issue for me, but I do support it mostly because in effect we have decriminalized it. I am worried about potential negative consequences of it and believe the money from it should go toward drug rehab and other related services."
Scotty Johnson
"Yes."
Liz Keating
"This is another important issue that I’m glad is in the hands of the voters and not politicians. "
Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney
"Yes. There are a myriad of reasons to legalize recreational marijuana, but chief among them arethe disparities in enforcement and the ramifications of arrests and convictions for low-levelcharges. In spite of similar rates of use, African Americans are far more likely to be arrested forpossession than White Americans. Convictions can prevent individuals from finding work, ahome, accessing certain assistance programs, and more. Too many lives are ruined and wemust take steps to not only prevent further convictions, but also to rectify harm already done toindividuals and entire communities. In addition, legalizing marijuana would decrease the needfor black market sales and thereby, decrease the risk that the product is contaminated withdangerous additives."
Meeka Owens
"Yes. Too many black people have been incarcerated for the use of recreational marijuana, asubstance that not only does not cause harm to the community, but can be therapeutic andmedical."
Victoria Parks
"I do support Issue 2. For too long young Black men have been disproportionately locked up for doing something that white people do at the same rate. Issue 2 will help prevent over-incarceration and bring in much-needed tax revenue to the state."
Seth Walsh
"I support Issue 2, the legalization of recreational marijuana. We need to end the unfair distribution of sentences based on marijuana-related crimes. Legalizing recreational marijuana also opens the door to addressing a critical workforce shortage by reducing unnecessary barriers to employment."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Issue 2: Where do Cincinnati council candidates stand?
