Legalizing Marijuana in Ohio

Shannon Smith

Sociology- April 2015

FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT: LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN OHIO

Pot, grass, weed, sweet Mary Jane, chronic, left handed cigarette are just a few names for marijuana, but with all jokes aside, should marijuana be legalized? This question has been on the controversial table for many years but now it is the spotlight more than ever. In the 90’s I still remember the thought of legalized marijuana as being an urban legend that we talked about but never thought would be an actual movement in our society. This topic is becoming more of an uproar because it is a reality in a few states already. I chose the topic of legalizing marijuana and the effects it will have on the economy, specifically jobs gained for the production of marijuana vs. jobs loss because of mandatory drug testing.

This contraversary appears to be very black and white when it comes to people’s perspectives; whether they’re against or for it. Many believe seem to think it’s just a “now” topic but it is a fact that in Ohio this is more than likely going to become reality. In my research, I wanted to know what peoples viewpoint was on legalization of marijuana, how would it affect the workplace and would jobs be created.

My review of several current articles on the subject supplied completely different point of views. In one article it stated that a slight majority of Ohio voters support legalization of marijuana for recreational use, but a pollster from Quinnipiac University cautioned against assuming a pot-related measure could pass on an actual ballot. Ohioans supported allowing adults to possess and use marijuana 52 percent to 44 percent, with 4 percent undecided. Between the articles the groups disagree in how each would legalize marijuana, whether for medicinal use or by strictly regulating where cannabis could be grown in the Buckeye State. Much of the opposition to a group limiting grow sites has been from other pro-marijuana advocates. (Huffington-Post)

There...