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CRESTLINE — Commercial development for marijuana dispensaries was being considered for the Village of Crestline; but after a clear majority in the election last night, that train has left the station.
According to the Crawford County Board of Elections, unofficial results show a majority 265 voters voted against allowing cannabis dispensaries inside Village limits. With a 14% voter turnout countywide, the margin of victory was 52-48%, with three of the four precincts voting against the measure. One grassroots effort helped inform voters and influence the results.
“Our team was able to reach approximately 207 households, or over 40% of the registered Republican voters in the Village,” said Greg Jevnikar, leader of the group “Neighbors For a Safe Crestline.” “Our team disseminated 750 handouts to residents and churches and gave yard signs out educating people on what harms marijuana dispensaries can bring to a community.”
The handout pointed out Crestline children would be less safe and that mental health would decline. According to the Medical Director at the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Center, the increase in infant exposures to THC edibles coincided with the legalization of marijuana. High potency marijuana has also been linked to psychosis and schizophrenia.
The handout by the “Neighbors For a Safe Crestline” also cited a study by liberal-leaning Colorado University which found that neighborhoods between 2012-2015, with one or more cannabis dispensaries, saw increased crime rates of up to 1,452% higher than neighborhoods without any dispensaries.
“We trust the advisory election results will send the signal to Crestline Village Council to prohibit commercial cannabis. Public opposition to marijuana in North Central Ohio is really picking up steam. We now want to see Council get on board with the idea.”
Greg Jevnikar, Neighbors For a Safe Crestline
Although Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana in 2023, a majority 53% of Crawford County voters opposed the legalization of marijuana. According to Chapter 3780.25 of the Ohio Revised Code, the only legal remedy local jurisdictions have is for municipalities and townships to prohibit commercial marijuana facilities. Presently there are at least 122 communities prohibiting mind-altering marijuana, including 18 of 27 government jurisdictions in nearby Richland County Ohio.
“According to our internal polling, we were confident we could win if people showed up to the ballot box,” said Greg Jevnikar. “This is evidence that more times than not, when people are armed with knowledge, they will do the right thing.”
According to Jevnikar, 52 of the group’s 59 encounters during their canvassing involved voters who stated they would be voting against commercial cannabis. “We had former drug-users display our yard signs on their property. One voter told us he has a son living in Oregon where they decriminalized all drugs. According to the son, when chaos ensued throughout the state, lawmakers went full circle and re-criminalized drugs again last year. The voter said peoples’ lives are being ruined by illicit drugs like marijuana.”
Jevnikar also shared how one marijuana user asked for prayer when they were going door to door.
In addition to the grassroots group, local lead clergy provided moral leadership, penning an open letter addressing the advisory vote. The faith leaders encouraged Crestline voters to oppose commercial marijuana, stating they “wanted to send a signal to Village Council that marijuana should not be normalized.”
With the air now cleared following the election, Village Council will be taking up the issue and voting on whether to prohibit commercial facilities selling the mind-altering drug.
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Isaiah 62, “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest…”
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