Ohio Police Department Deletes Post Warning Of ‘Downhill Tumble’ If Voters Approve Marijuana Decriminalization

An Ohio police department shared—and then, hours later, deleted—a Facebook post warning that an initiative to decriminalize marijuana that voters will decide on next month could be the beginning of “a downhill tumble” for society. In the press release from McArthur Police Chief Thomas Heaton, which was shared on Facebook on Thursday only to be taken down the following day, he explained that the proposal would reduce penalties for low-level cannabis possession to a zero-dollar fine. “The McArthur Police Department is not willing to endorse or recommend the passage of this levy,” the chief said. “Society views may think this is no big deal because it’s just marijuana. However, this is only the beginning of a downhill tumble with regards to ILLEGAL drug use. If the penalties continue to be decreased over time, then what chance does society have to combat the ever-growing drug problem facing our Village and Country.” A response press release sent by NORML Appalachia of Ohio, which has worked to place marijuana decriminalization measures on local ballots in McArthur and other municipalities across the state, said Heaton is “risking his own employment” by engaging in electioneering with taxpayer dollars. The group alleges that he violated the federal Hatch Act as well as Ohio law by using police department letterhead to disseminate “outdated information to influence and intimidate voters.” […]

Source: Ohio Police Department Deletes Post Warning Of ‘Downhill Tumble’ If Voters Approve Marijuana Decriminalization – Marijuana Moment