Currently, 23 states in America have laws legalizing marijuana in some form, according to Governing.com. The legalization of marijuana is continuously being added to ballots across the US. This year, Ohio has become a player in this controversial subject and Issue 3 underlies what will happen if passed.

Did you know that before you vote on Issue 3 you must vote on Issue 2?

Also, what you vote for Issue 2 will effect the results of what you vote Issue 3?

Issue 2 is an anti-monopoly amendment and will prevent any petitioner from using the Ohio Constitution to write in a monopoly for their own financial benefit.

A monopoly is when a company takes exclusive possession over a supply or trade. This amendment would prevent anyone from writing into the constitution a monopoly over a certain market.

What does that have to do with Issue 3?

Issue 3 is an amendment that grants a monopoly for the production and sale of marijuana for recreational and medicinal uses.

It would limit the sale and use of marijuana by writing in 10 facilities, giving them the rights to grow marijuana. To better understand what would happen if Issue 3 were to pass here are a couple things that would change in Ohio:

Anyone 21 years or older could buy, possess, transport, and use up to one ounce of marijuana.

The 10 facilities that grow the marijuana would not be able to sell directly to the public. Instead, each facility will employ 300 people to sell.

If you agree with Issue 3 then you would vote no for Issue 2. However if you disagree with Issue 3 then you would vote yes for Issue 2. If Issue 2 passes then it will by default cancel out Issue 3 because of regulation of monopolies within the constitution.

A few things to consider before making your ultimate voting decision are:

Which one do you think will be better for the state?

It's hard to make a decision unless you already have a predetermined opinion.

Is writing a monopoly into Ohio's Constitution a good idea?

Will giving to rights to ten specific companies make it easier to regulate marijuana?

We should eventually legalize here in Ohio, but writing a monopoly might not be the best route. Here is the way that I see it: people who smoke will continue to smoke whether or not it's legal. Why not make it legal in the state so that we can start working toward a better regulation of it?

What will you vote?