Wednesday, September 23, 2015

NR School Board opposes marijuana issue

The Board of Education of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District passed a resolution at its Sept. 21 meeting opposing Ohio Issue 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize the use of marijuana in the state of Ohio. 

Board members Kristin Bennet, Tim DuFau, Tony Farmer, Kim Hayden and Kevin Walriven vote for the resolution in opposition to the November ballot issue:

Resolution Opposing Issue 3:

It is recommended that the Board of Education adopt the following Resolution. 

WHEREAS, Ohio voters are being asked to consider State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize the use of marijuana in the state of Ohio; and

WHEREAS, the New Richmond Exempted Village School District Board of Education shares the concerns of Ohio’s doctors, hospitals, children’s health advocates, civic leaders, parents, farmers, other business people, chambers of commerce, law enforcement personnel, addiction counselors and faith leaders; and

WHEREAS, the proposed constitutional amendment allows a private organization to acquire exclusive rights to grow, manufacture and sell marijuana and marijuana-infused edible products to Ohioans for recreational and medical use; and

WHEREAS, the proposed constitutional amendment will allow for more than 1,100 retail stores focusing on the sales of recreational marijuana in the form of marijuana cigarettes, liquids, sprays, and edibles to be located near Ohio’s schools; and

WHEREAS, the allowance for large quantities of recreational marijuana combined with the lack of oversight and control make it very likely that marijuana would fall into the hands of our students;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the elected members of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District Board of Education, on behalf of the children and community we serve, do hereby express our opposition to State Issue 3, a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the treasurer be directed to record this resolution in the minutes of the board of education and that copies of the resolution be forwarded to members of the local press for distribution to the community.