The list of ResponsibleOhio investors is so bizarre. Featuring marquee names like FROSTEE RUCKER of the Arizona Cardinals and Texas check-cashing magnate William “Cheney” Pruett, you couldn’t find a goofier bunch of profit-hungry weed advocates if you tried.
Here’s the list of the big backers publicized thus far, annotated with the seedlings of biography:
Rick Kirk: The president and CEO of Hallmark Campus Communities owns massive residential complexes at universities all over the U.S. (University Edge at Kent, the Summit at Coates Run at Ohio U., etc.).
Oscar Robertson: “The Big O,” 76, a legendary NBA guard, is currently the owner of Orchem in Cincinnati. Orchem manufactures food processing, institutional and industrial chemicals (like new product line Big O Signature Cleaning products, floor cleaners that will target staph bacteria).
Nanette Lepore: As a Youngstown native, Lepore has become something of a fashion guru noted for her “gypsy-influenced designs,” according to New York magazine. “This is an incredible opportunity for places like my hometown of Youngstown to generate significant dollars for things like road and bridge repair, which in turn will create thousands of needed jobs,” Lepore said in a press release. And, yes, the tax advantages are crystal clear. But the primary market’s profit would still go directly into these concentrated investors’ pockets. Weird how that works?
Barbara Gould: Matriarch of the arts in Cincinnati, Gould is a noted Cincinnati political donor (to both parties). She sent thousands of dollars last year to State Auditor David Yost’s Democratic challenger, John Patrick Carney. Yost, of course, famously said of this organization’s plans: “What Will We Have Next — 12 Monopolies for Whorehouses in the 12 Largest Counties?”
Frostee Rucker: A defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals (???).
Frank Wood: Secret Communications LLC sounds like a pretty good corporate name for what’s going on at ResponsibleOhio, but it’s actually the company for which Frank Wood serves as CEO. He’s sort of a teamwork/mentoring leader and a noted Cincinnati entrepreneur.
Sir Alan Mooney: Mooney is a knighted minister who trains financial advisers and serves on corporate boards. He’s also skilled in what he calls “self-activation.”
William J. Foster: As a disabled veteran, Foster is a noted philanthropist who owns A-1 Quality Logistical Solutions in Cincinnati (a fixed-cost labor service supplier, in a sense).
William “Cheney” Pruett: Well, with a nickname like *that*… Pruett is a father, a conservative and a Christian, who dabbles in all sorts of consumer finance endeavors (Nacogdoches Cash Now LLC, Pittsburgh EZ Check Advance LLC, Collateral Lenders Of Texas Inc., and that ilk).
John Humphrey: Pretty much the same as Cheney up there. He’s the CFO of Cheney’s Texas-based DMP Investments,
Bobby George: The only really Northeast Ohio-based investor on the list, who you might know from the Barley House and other establishments around town.
“The campaign is honored to have such well-respected businesswomen and men, as well as patient advocates supporting our effort to offer a common-sense solution to Ohio’s failed drug policies,” ResponsibleOhio executive director Ian James said in a press relezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
The group will submit ballot language later this year before embarking on a signature-gathering odyssey (they’ll need 305,591 by July 1). This story isn’t gonna burn out anytime soon, so do stay tuned.
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2015.
Frostee Rucker was on the Browns for a season or two, so it makes a *little* more sense
“But the primary market’s profit would still go directly into these concentrated investors’ pockets. Weird how that works?”
DOWN WITH THE MARIJUANA CARTEL RESPONSIBLE OHIO
SUPPORT A FREE MARKET WITH PERSONAL GROWING RIGHTS!
THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN!
****LEGALIZE2016.ORG****
This effort is a trick, don’t fall for it. I’d rather keep marijuana illegal for now than rush to take the first raw deal proposed to us, just for the sake of legalizing it. Don’t be foolish, those on this list are the real and only winners if this goes through, and we will have to settle for scraps of the industry compared to the other states. Please think Ohio, this is a chance to prove we aren’t… well, our reputation precedes us, and if this passes, I’m moving to a more enlightened part of the country lol. Just be smart, and think critically, this is a joke, and they are going to push the envelope and take every single liberty they can with this.
Lawrdy.
Ohio wake up! Fight for your Rights! Don’t let 10 people make profit from this issue. We all can have the right to grow without this corporate greed! Say NO!
Go to responsibleohioans.org I know it sounds like the same group but it’s not, these people agree with growing rights and don’t want to create a monopoly. Get this petition approved, Fuck RO
Everyone is laughing about this horrible excuse for a bill, from the elected governmental officials to individuals in the legalized business elsewhere in the US. It’s nothing more than a monopoly for a select few. IF you want this bill to pass stop being greedy bastards. There is nothing responsible about this deal. I’m going to try and inform everyone I can about how horrible of a bill this is. I have also managed to speak my mind on every single article out there not to mention all over social media. Change the wording to allow anyone a chance and you would have my support but this is garbage and nothing more than a dirty handshake deal in a dark alley and not looking out for anyone’s interest but the 11 or so greedy individuals. It’s sad but this bill has become the laughing stock of the nation on legalization.
I agree this this sounds like a monopoly. I want my rights to grow my marijuana.
i’ll just keep smoking my weed without the “help” of this group of assholes
they should be publicly shamed,,as the world begins to recognize the unlimited use of this weed,the future renewable resource of our planet,proven to replace petroleum,and has many other industrial uses,these greedy people want to have all the profits from all future growth of this plant,really,the only thing they give us is right to be their customer or employee,,
i like my kings and queens headless
For heaven’s sake, Ohioans should vote YES on this amendment, and on Nov. 4th the entire state can light one up and blow smoke in the face of the Federal Government’s “war on drugs.” I’m from Missouri so I can’t vote, but cannabis activists across the entire country are looking to Ohio to repeal cannabis prohibition. Now is the chance for every Ohioans to send the strongest message to the DEA , “keep out of Ohio with your civil asset forfeitures and midnight swat team raids for possessing a plant!” In 2016 TEN more states could have ballots to end prohibition, including Missouri, and they will all cite Ohio’s historic vote in 2015, whether you pass your amendment or not. Your amendment is not perfect, but you can change it later by opening up 10, 20 or 30 more wholesale growing facilities, or just grow your own legally and don’t buy one gram that comes from these commercial grow outfits. It’s your choice, go for it!
..10 Good Reasons.. by: Lawless Rebelblood.
10. Kickback.. Ohio will take the average 15% Off the top for use in each county for Safety services, Education, and Development..
9. It is written in the constitution that the Industry is to be 100% open to the public..
8. Add on Industry.. (Self explanatory.)
7. Home grows.. Each home grow will be unlimited as long as only four plants are in bloom and only 8oz is dry at one time.
6. Expunges Criminal records.. Everyone knows more than one guy in jail for Cannabis.. Their lives are basically ruined by the state as it is. This is their chance to start over.
5. Prohibited packaging. The Amendment states that certain packaging that would be considered attractive to children will be prohibited..
4. Protecting small businesses.. Ohio is full of small businesses that would be run out of business if we adopted a deal like Colorado. There Car dealerships, eateries, museums, ma and pop shops and virtually all other small business has been shut down by small time growers taking over.. A regulated startup constitutionally based on Population and demand would protect them.
3. Constitutional protection.. Being in the Ohio Constitution would mean that utilizers, patients, home growers, and businesses would all be protected by the state.. Meaning the Feds would have to go though the constitution to get to you.. Other states they bust in the door whenever they want too.
2. Ending Prohibition. Is that ever bad? 60 years is way to long and we need to start moving forward..
1. Medical.. Cancer (all types), Epileptcy, crones, a.d.h.d, Alzheimer’s, autism, aids, arthritis, chronic pain, glaucoma, anxiety, depression, diaphragmatic flutter, P.T.S.D. The list goes on and on..