It’s not just potheads and libertarians vs. nanny staters and anti-drug crusaders. The ballot initiative battle over marijuana legalization in Ohio is a bold effort by a few wealthy and politically connected actors to gain a marijuana monopoly and get rich, according to a report at the Center for Public Integrity.
And, oh yeah, even if the political pot profiteers lose, they will make millions by funneling the money they raise the campaign into their own political firms.
Liz Essley Whyte, my former Examiner colleague, has the story, and here are some excerpts:
The measure would root the 10 marijuana growth sites to particular land parcels, which happen to be controlled by the mysterious companies funding the initiative. They would function as Ohio’s only wholesale suppliers of marijuana. …
For Responsible Ohio, as his marijuana effort is called, James wrangled together investors who are willing to bankroll a $20 million campaign, sink in an additional $20 million to buy the land and $300 million more to build facilities. …
And once the measure passes, James said he plans to open a consulting company helping launch marijuana retail stores.
Also, “he plans to pay his own firm nearly $6 million to run the campaign.”
Again, the story — and the reporting that went into it — are just incredible. Read it.
