Local activist group supports legalizing cannabis | News, Sports, Jobs – The Times Leader

T-L Photo/KAILEY CARPINO
William Schmitt Jr., from left, Joanie Caleodis and Brandon Cameron stand at the corner of Aetna Street and Ohio 7 in Martins Ferry to encourage voters to support Issue 2 to legalize marijuana for recreational use by adults in Ohio.

MARTINS FERRY — A group of activists has been rallying at the corner of Aetna Street and Ohio 7 in Martins Ferry to encourage voters to support Issue 2 to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Ohio.

William Schmitt Jr. – a member of the group, owner of Holistic Cloud and a Bellaire Village Council candidate – said there have been 10-15 people at the intersection daily this week showing their support to legalize cannabis.

Many passing motorists honked their horns or waved to indicate their support Thursday.

“We get tons of love from everybody,” he said.

Schmitt said that legalizing cannabis can help save lives.

“Ohio has a bad problem with opioids and overdose deaths. In states that have legalized medical or recreational use (of marijuana), there’s a 25% decrease in opiate-related deaths. With Ohio being number two in the nation in opiate-related deaths, it’s very important that we try to save as many lives as possible,” he said.

Schmitt said people can use cannabis first for pain and other medical conditions instead of using highly addictive narcotics and opiates.

“If we use it first, we won’t get addicted to a lot of these other medications, and we’re using something safe and natural that God put here on this Earth for us to use,” he said.

Schmitt said when people get addicted to opioids, using cannabis oil can help with withdrawal symptoms.

“In other states across the country, they’re starting to use cannabis in rehab centers for people who have been on opiates,” he said.

Schmitt said that group member Joanie Caleodis was the first medical marijuana patient in the state of Ohio. Before using cannabis, Caleodis said she took 16 prescription pills for her multiple sclerosis. Now she takes three pills as needed and cannabis oil every day.

“Everybody thinks it’s just smoking a joint, and it’s not just smoking a joint,” Caleodis said.

Schmitt said cannabis has also helped him with pain.

“I deal with pain from three different car wrecks, and I will not use opiates. I’ve watched opiates destroy all my friends and a lot of my family. A lot of the people that I went to school with — people younger than me — are losing their lives just because they want to take something that they believe is safe, just because the doctor gave it to them. For me, it’s like, do you trust a doctor or do you trust God?” Schmitt said.

He also said that legalizing cannabis will make it safer to use.

“We need something safe that’s regulated from the state so we know exactly what’s in it,” he said.

Schmitt said that even law enforcement and first responders have shown support.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), we had two cops beep. The sheriff waved. We’ve had two ambulances yesterday beep their horn coming past. We also had two firefighters from the Ohio Valley here on the corner helping us,” he said.

Schmitt said legalizing cannabis would allow law enforcement to focus on addressing drug-related issues involving more dangerous substances such as opioids, heroin and fentanyl.

“There’s just so much more that the police could use their time and money on,” he said.

Schmitt said he hopes to educate the public about the upsides of legalizing cannabis.

“It’s very important to get everybody out here to vote and to educate the community to start having that conversation. Every car that comes past us is going to have that conversation tonight about them guys on the corner. …It’s time to have that talk here in Ohio,” he said.

Schmitt said he has worked to decriminalize marijuana use in 42 cities in Ohio. He also noted that he was born on April 20, which is considered to be an unofficial marijuana holiday.

“I feel that the universe has me here for a divine reason to help educate people on cannabis and help forward marijuana laws,” he said.

If Issue 2 is approved, it would “commercialize, regulate, legalize and tax the adult use of cannabis,” according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Residents ages 21 and older would be able to purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 15 grams of extract. The measure would also authorize and regulate its cultivation, sale, purchase, home grow and use.

The Division of Cannabis Control would be created under the initiative and be responsible for regulating and licensing marijuana operators and facilities.

If Issue 2 passes, there will be a 10% excise tax on cannabis sales.

The law would go into effect 30 days after the election if it is passed.

Currently, 23 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational cannabis use.

“We’re just trying to show support for something. We’re just trying to advocate,” Schmitt said.

Opponents of the measure, including the Ohio Senate, say legalizing marijuana could lead to more addiction issues, mental health issues and increased traffic accidents and crime.