Weeding Through the Issue

Junior+Dillon+Black+and+seniors+Garrett+Boeckman%2C+and+Courtney+Eilerman+register+for+voting.+Issue+3+will+be+on+the+ballot.

Junior Dillon Black and seniors Garrett Boeckman, and Courtney Eilerman register for voting. Issue 3 will be on the ballot.

A major issue in this year’s general election is the legalization of marijuana, as it is on the ballot (Issue Three). The issue has sparked interest throughout the state, as well as here at Northmont.

“I think it [Issue 3] should pass because keeping it illegal would only cause more problems in the future,” said senior Matt Lucente who cites the largest of these problems as mass incarceration, which leads to more government spending.

Others don’t want to deny marijuana to fellow citizens.

“If they want to do it, more power to them,” said senior Alexander Sharp.

Some teachers feel marijuana should be the least of our concerns as a state.

“There’s a lot of other problems within society that plague our health and well being and I think marijuana, ultimately compared to those, is of lower importance or significance,” said social studies teacher Mr. Cory Caudill.

Students agree other drugs cause more harm than marijuana.

“We need to focus on the harder drugs like heroin, which isn’t beneficial to anyone. Marijuana is actually beneficial since it can help medicinally for cancer patients or other people,” said senior Landyn Wimberly.

Others feel the possession of marijuana should be legalized so the misdemeanor charge won’t shatter an offender’s future.

“It’s not right to put drug offenses on somebody’s record over marijuana and potentially ruin their chances of getting a job or opportunities,” said Wimberly.

Some believe smoking marijuana should be closely regulated by the government.

“If you do legalize it, we can find a way to regulate it and have it done in a responsible manner,” said Caudill.

Senior Raelynn Hill-Ross feels there should be an age limit in order to legally use marijuana, while Sharp expresses the need for smoking and driving laws.

While agreeing to legalize it, people still realize the downsides of the legalization of marijuana.

“My biggest concern is that teenagers will view it as an acceptable recreational activity or coping mechanism. The truth is that it leads to lower IQs, a lack of motivation, and emotional vacancy,” said Caudill.

Tune in on November 6 to see if the state of Ohio is on board for change.