Ohio: Bill Proposes Legalizing Medical Marijuana

0

Graphic: Ohio Patient Network

​A bill which would legalize dispensing, growing and using marijuana for medical purposes has been introduced in the Ohio House. Passage is considered unlikely, but if that happened, Ohio would become the 15th state to make medical marijuana legal, reports Alan Johnson at The Columbus Dispatch.

Rep. Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) is the bill’s primary sponsor, along with five other co-sponsors. The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) in Ohio worked with Yuko in writing the bill, which is similar to Senate Bill 343 fro the last legislative session, but has significant changes, according to advocates.
According to Edward J. Orlett, a former legislator who is Ohio representative for the California-based DPA, said if the Legislature doesn’t legalize medical marijuana, voters should take matters into their own hands.

Neighboring Michigan residents did exactly that in 2008, passing a similar medical marijuana ballot issue which legalized the medicinal use of cannabis in their state.
The bill would allow certified cardholders with verified debilitating medical conditions to grow their own marijuana. It would require them, when they are not at home, to keep the plants in a locked “room, greenhouse, garden or other enclosed area that is out of public view.”
Share.