Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
He was once responsible for arresting pot users and dealers, now a former Cincinnati police captain is advocating for legal marijuana.
The pro-pot group ResponsibleOhio is launching a new ad campaign featuring retired Capt. Howard Rahtz.
In the ad, Rahtz talks about seeing the drug problem firsthand and that in his opinion, Ohio's war on drugs doesn't work.
"Simply put, they don't work," Rahtz said.
He goes on to call out the cost of the prohibition to Ohio alone and that "it's time for marijuana reform so law enforcement can focus on cracking down on real criminals."
Ohio will be the first state in the U.S. to hold a vote on legalizing medical and recreational marijuana at the same time. Already, 23 states have medical marijuana laws on the books, and last year Colorado became the first state to allow retail sales of the drug.
The group's executive director, Ian James, released a statement about the ads saying:
"Law enforcement officials from all over Ohio, like Captain Rahtz and Prosecutor Joe Deters, know that our state is wasting over $100 million each year on failed marijuana prohibition. Our state could be using those resources to help fight real crime and combat the statewide heroin epidemic."
"Issue 3 will bring marijuana out of the shadows and out of the hands of drug dealers. We'll tax it, regulate it and make sure marijuana stays out of the hands of kids. We want Ohio voters to know that Issue 3 will bring real reform to our state."
The group's plan would make medical and recreational marijuana sales legal for Ohioans age 21 and older. Individuals could grow up to four plants for personal use, but most of the marijuana for sale would be grown at 10 sites across Ohio controlled by the campaign's wealthy backers.
If all goes as planned, Ohio's first legal marijuana sales could begin as early as next September.
The political action committee says it plans to spend more than $20 million as it works to convince Ohio voters to give legal weed a try.
Until the election, the campaign will roll into all 88 Ohio counties during a statewide bus tour that will host more than 150 events across college campuses and cities big and small.
Should voters back the pro-pot plan, state and local policymakers will be on the hook for crafting a host of new laws aimed at regulating an industry that's still illegal federally.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Howard Rahtz: Retired Cincinnati police captain joins ResponsibleOhio's campaign for legal marijuana - Story
Author: Jesse Folk
Contact: About Us, Staff Information | WCPO.com | 9 On Your Side | WCPO-TV
Photo Credit: The Associated Press
Website: Cincinnati News, Weather, Traffic, Sports | WCPO.com | 9 On Your Side | WCPO-TV
The pro-pot group ResponsibleOhio is launching a new ad campaign featuring retired Capt. Howard Rahtz.
In the ad, Rahtz talks about seeing the drug problem firsthand and that in his opinion, Ohio's war on drugs doesn't work.
"Simply put, they don't work," Rahtz said.
He goes on to call out the cost of the prohibition to Ohio alone and that "it's time for marijuana reform so law enforcement can focus on cracking down on real criminals."
Ohio will be the first state in the U.S. to hold a vote on legalizing medical and recreational marijuana at the same time. Already, 23 states have medical marijuana laws on the books, and last year Colorado became the first state to allow retail sales of the drug.
The group's executive director, Ian James, released a statement about the ads saying:
"Law enforcement officials from all over Ohio, like Captain Rahtz and Prosecutor Joe Deters, know that our state is wasting over $100 million each year on failed marijuana prohibition. Our state could be using those resources to help fight real crime and combat the statewide heroin epidemic."
"Issue 3 will bring marijuana out of the shadows and out of the hands of drug dealers. We'll tax it, regulate it and make sure marijuana stays out of the hands of kids. We want Ohio voters to know that Issue 3 will bring real reform to our state."
The group's plan would make medical and recreational marijuana sales legal for Ohioans age 21 and older. Individuals could grow up to four plants for personal use, but most of the marijuana for sale would be grown at 10 sites across Ohio controlled by the campaign's wealthy backers.
If all goes as planned, Ohio's first legal marijuana sales could begin as early as next September.
The political action committee says it plans to spend more than $20 million as it works to convince Ohio voters to give legal weed a try.
Until the election, the campaign will roll into all 88 Ohio counties during a statewide bus tour that will host more than 150 events across college campuses and cities big and small.
Should voters back the pro-pot plan, state and local policymakers will be on the hook for crafting a host of new laws aimed at regulating an industry that's still illegal federally.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Howard Rahtz: Retired Cincinnati police captain joins ResponsibleOhio's campaign for legal marijuana - Story
Author: Jesse Folk
Contact: About Us, Staff Information | WCPO.com | 9 On Your Side | WCPO-TV
Photo Credit: The Associated Press
Website: Cincinnati News, Weather, Traffic, Sports | WCPO.com | 9 On Your Side | WCPO-TV
