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The real cost of legalizing pot

The upcoming debate over plans to legalize marijuana in Ohio may focus less on the drug itself and more on how communities could benefit if marijuana is taxed and regulated. Supporters are already promoting the issue as one that will actually help police. Rob Ryan, President of the Ohio Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said legalizing pot would eliminate an unnecessary burden on police agencies.

"The real effectiveness is that police will be able to focus on real crimes," Ryan said. He added that Ohio could learn from other states that have already made it legal. "Marijuana's legalization is going to happen, we just need to deal with it," Ryan said.

Under the proposal headed to the November, 2015 statewide ballot, marijuana would be sold in small quantities for personal use at retail outlets without a prescription. Sales would be regulated and taxed by the state. People could also grow up to four plants at home for their personal use. Distribution of any kind from home production would be illegal.

Even with the regulations stated in the proposed constitutional amendment expected to be placed before voters, local law enforcement has already turned thumbs-down on the plan. Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer said the state's drug problem will only grow worse.

"It will only cause more problems for us. Our biggest concern is OVI's (operating a vehicle while intoxicated) and accidents. So now we're going to have people out there drinking and driving and also smoking marijuana and driving," Plummer said.

Recent successful campaigns in other states did not show marijuana or its use, but rather featured concerned parents encouraging voters to tax and regulate it. In one TV ad from Washington State, a young woman tells voters she does not like marijuana personally but the growth and sale of marijuana had already become a multi-million industry.

Sitting in what appears to be a coffee shop, a woman identified on screen as Kate Pippinger, Washington Mom, asks viewers "What if we regulate it? Have background checks for retailers, stiff penalties for selling to minors. We could tax it to fund schools and health care. Free up police to go after violent crime instead."

People on both sides of the marijuana issue in Ohio expect to see the same argument made here. While Plummer and others in law enforcement plan to fight it, Ryan expects a vigorous campaign in support of legalization.

Since passage in other states, marijuana outlets have faced serious security problems. Since federal law continues to classify marijuana as an illegal drug, banks will not do business with pot retailers, meaning they cannot accept credit cards. The resulting cash-only business has made retailers a target. At least one murder was reported in Washington State when a retailer's home was broken into by thieves in search of cash.

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