The Tuesday Count: Local celebrities rumored to be involved in OH marijuana farms

February 10, 2015

Edited by Brittany Clingen

Marijuana continues to be the dominant issue on 2015 and 2016 ballots at the state and local levels. In Ohio, local celebrities are rumored to be investors in multiple marijuana farms that would be established if an amendment is approved by voters in November. At the local level, an initiative to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Upland, California, qualified for the ballot, only to have the city council delay the election in order to review a special report.

Local celebrities may bankroll marijuana farms in Ohio:
Ohio is one of a number of states where marijuana measures are underway for upcoming ballots. What makes Ohio's situation unique is the stipulations laid out in an initiative proposed for the 2015 ballot. Sponsored by ResponsibleOhio, the measure, like those proposed in several other states, would legalize the recreational and medical use of marijuana for persons who are 21 years of age and older.

According to Lydia Bolander, spokesperson for ResponsibleOhio, the initiative would also "regulate, tax and treat marijuana like alcohol" and establish a Marijuana Control Commission. What differentiates this initiative from others is that just 10 locations in the state would be allowed to produce marijuana. This has led to some concern that a monopoly would be established.

Multiple locations have been identified as potential marijuana farms, if the measure is approved by voters in November. Celebrity investors are also said to be involved in the potential marijuana farms, including former Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker, Indian Hill philanthropist Barbara Gould, fashion designer Nanette Lepore, former WEBN radio host Frank Wood and former Cincinnati Royals basketball player Oscar Robertson.

Despite the interest from high-profile investors, some of the current owners of the locations in question are reluctant to sell their properties only to have them used in the production of marijuana. "If marijuana growing would become legal, and if that use would be permitted at that site, Evans or any of our affiliates would have zero to do with that. The building would be sold, and the site would be sold, and we'd have no involvement with it whatsoever," said Zach Peterson, an attorney for one of the current owners.

Proponents still have several hurdles to overcome in order to land the measure on the fall ballot. Petitioners still need to submit 1,000 signatures with the initial petition filing. If the initiative's filing is approved, they will then need to collect at least 305,591 valid signatures by July 1, 2015, in order to get the initiative placed on the November 2015 ballot.

Local spotlight

City Council of Sammamish, Washington, to ask voters whether the city should establish initiative and referendum powers: Sammamish could become the next general law city in Washington to allow citizens the power to establish new laws or put council-approved laws before voters through signature petitions. Since Washington state law does not require all cities to have the powers of initiative and referendum but allows each city authority to establish I&R, the city council decided to ask voters if they wanted this power via a question on the April 28 election ballot. Although this measure is only a non-binding, advisory question, it will serve as an indicator to the city council about the will of voters on this issue. If the question is approved, it could urge the city council to draft legislation to establish this facet of direct democracy.

Initiative to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Upland, California, qualifies for the ballot; city council delays election: Voters in the city of Upland, California, will vote this year on an initiative designed to bring medical marijuana dispensaries back to the city. The Upland branch of a group called the California Cannabis Coalition collected more than the 5,542 voter signatures required to qualify this measure for the ballot, hoping to lift the city's prohibition against pot dispensaries and collectives. Although the city council has delayed a decision on the initiative for 30 days to allow for a special report, the council members will ultimately have to either enact the measure directly or put it before the voters.

Other measures in the news

• Texas Energy Commission Amendment (2015): The Texas Railroad Commission no longer regulates railroads, and voters may get the chance to give the commission a new, more appropriate name.
• Michigan Capital Punishment Amendment (2016): A Democratic lawmaker wants the death penalty for individuals convicted of killing cops.
• Minnesota Electronic Data Protection Amendment (2016): Following Missouri's Amendment 9, Minnesotans may get the chance to add "electronic communications and data" to their right against unreasonable searches and seizures.
• North Dakota "Rejection of Unconstitutional Actions" Amendment (2016): North Dakota may take up a contentious issue after voters approved a similar measure in Arizona last November.
• Virginia Charter School Establishment Amendment (2016): The Virginia Senate passes the amendment, moving it one step closer to being put before voters.