Why yes, it is about pot, weed, marijuana, cannabis … call it what you will.
And yes, it is about the benefits of decriminalizing possessing of the plant, and it is about the legalization so the health benefits can be reaped without repercussions.
That is why Bill Schmitt Jr. will launch his 4:20 Somewhere Potcast (no, not a typo) this evening beginning at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live. Those wishing to join the podcast will be able to find the show by searching for the “4:20 Somewhere Potcast” on the social media platform.
“I want to do the potcast so everyone who is part of this team can hear what we’re doing on a weekly basis, and I also want to do it so those who does not know the benefits involving with cannabis,” Schmitt said. “I’m constantly doing different things to work toward legalization and decriminalization, and the more people who support those efforts, the better. It’s not an easy fight, but it’s a fight that can be won.
“The potcast will give me a great platform to reach a lot more people, and it will give me the chance to explain how to do the citizen initiatives in their communities,” he said. “If I can teach others how to navigate that process, then they will be able to do it themselves so the medical marijuana patients in those communities can be more understood. Despite how hard we have tried to teach people about the benefits, there are still a lot of folks out there that don’t understand.”
An Activist’s Voice
The idea for the potcast stems from Schmitt’s daily Facebook Live broadcasts at 4:20 p.m., but the show will take place each Thursday evening so more viewers and listeners are available following their respective day jobs.
The Bellaire resident also wishes to begin the weekly broadcasts because on several occasions the Facebook “police” has suspended his online accounts over “content violations.”
“The potcast will be a place online where everyone will be able to find the show,” Schmitt said. “I have been put into Facebook jail a lot, and for stupid reasons, I believe, but this show will continue each week no matter if I get banned again or not. Odds are, I will.
“I am going to say what I want to say during the show and being able to have that link so it can spread the word is going to fantastic for this effort,” he said. “Plus, the show will give me more of a voice as an activist and that will be important in the future because the more people we can get to support us takes us closer to the ultimate goal.”
Schmitt spearheaded the effort to decriminalize the possession of marijuana in the village of Bellaire in 2015 and since has been very involved with similar ballot issues across the state of Ohio. He also owns and operates the Holistic Cloud in Bellaire, a CBD shop packed full of inventory, and often raises funds to purchase food for the Salvation Army in Belmont County.
The weekly “4:20 Somewhere” potcast will include guests and a plethora of information pertaining to the ongoing battle to eliminate criminal penalties for those who have not acquired or qualified for patient status in Ohio’s medical marijuana program.
“I will concentrate on the news from Ohio and West Virginia so the show is a service to the people who live in this area,” Schmitt said. “Of course, there will be topics from throughout the country because the legalization movement is nationwide.
“I will also bring patients on the show so they can explain their experiences with cannabis,” he said. “And I also will have guests that have worked on this movement all over the country so they can explain their efforts and the reactions of the voters. The decriminalization effort have failed in some areas so I believe it’s important to put the reason why out there so the approach can be changed for the next time.”
Decrim Communities
Election Day in the Buckeye State is this coming Tuesday with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m.
Voters in Martins Ferry, Brookside, Powhattan Point, Morristown, Mount Pleasant, Dillonvale, Rayland, Tiltonsville, and Yorkville will have on their ballots a citizen initiative to decriminalize the possession of as much as 200 grams of cannabis. Schmitt is quick to clarify that the initiative does not decriminalize the use of the cannabis.
“I do believe it should be legal,” he insisted, “but we’re not there yet.”
Along with the nine communities, Schmitt also attempted to have the initiative places on the ballot in Bridgeport, but village officials contended that he failed to submit the necessary paperwork to the proper administrator.
The case even went to the Ohio Supreme Court, but the seven members sided with the village.
“I’ll be back,” Schmitt said with a smile. “The people in Bridgeport can count on that.
“Statistically, it appears we have an 87 percent chance for most of them to pass, and that is based on the last six years since this movement began,” Schmitt explained. “That means seven of nine should pass, but I believe it’s more likely that eight of nine do pass. In fact, I would not be surprised if all nine pass because of the efforts we have made in those communities.”
Why has he made the effort? For the same reason why he will launch “4:20 Somewhere” this evening.
“There are so many ways the plant can help us,” Schmitt insisted. “All use of cannabis is medical use whether a person realizes it or not. That’s because it serves as a preventative medicine, as well.
“If we can regulate the amount of cannabinoids in our bodies during our lives, the better off we will be,” he added. “For far too long, there was a brainwashing that took place and that’s why so many people are just now learning the benefits. It’s a shame, but that’s what happened, and some people still refuse the science. They just won’t believe in the positives no matter how hard we have tried to help them understand.”
