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Why We Should VOTE for Issue 3
Sylvester M. Gould, Senior Advisor,
Responsible Ohio, Issue 3 Campaign
Guest Colum
The issue of marijuana legalization is
complex and increasingly discussed. If we stop, however, to
think deeply and critically about this issue it becomes very
simple: legalizing marijuana is the right thing to do.
As neighbors working and living in the same
community, we’re called upon to show compassion. If we
legalize marijuana, we have the opportunity to provide
compassionate care to many Ohioans who are currently
suffering from debilitating illnesses such as cancer, sickle
cell disease, epilepsy, or Alzheimer’s disease. Medical
marijuana has improved the quality of life for so many
people across our country. Many Ohio doctors agree with the
ability to use it as a progressive treatment, and would like
the ability to recommend medical marijuana, especially as an
alternative treatment to highly addictive prescription
drugs.
Though the opposition argues that marijuana
is a gateway drug, we now know that’s a long-debunked myth.
The real gateway drug is the drug dealer who has an
incentive to hook his customers onto harder, more addictive
substances. By legalizing marijuana, we can cut into the
black market and make our communities safer while providing
compassionate care to those who need it.
Not only is it important for us to show
compassion for the health of others, but it’s also vital
that we show compassion and justice to those who have
already made mistakes and want to move on with their lives.
Currently, over 300 legal
consequences can
result from even minor marijuana offenses. These often have
devastating results.
Individuals can have their drivers’ license
suspended, find it difficult to obtain or maintain a good
job, be denied public housing and accommodation and students
can even lose financial aid for higher education. It is
unfair that we keep certain people shackled to the past,
unable to meaningfully rejoin society.
We have the chance to provide a clean slate
for those people who received unfair and overly harsh
punishments associated with marijuana infractions. The Fresh
Start Act, supported by Issue 3 will be on the ballot in
2016.
The Fresh Start Act will help provide a
second chance with sentencing review and expungement for
anyone with a marijuana-related offense that will no longer
be illegal upon passage of Issue 3.
In order for Ohio to move forward with the
Fresh Start Act, our state must first fully legalize
marijuana. It’s time to
have a real conversation about how the legalization of
marijuana through Issue 3 offers our state the chance to
make the right choice. We can make our communities strong by
voting Yes for Issue 3 in November.
Sylvester M. Gould is a graduate of the
University of Toledo School of Law, and President and Owner
of Gould Development Company, LLC.
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