Ohio plans for Medical Marijuana passed, needs Kasich Approval

This isn’t the first time Ohio has tried to pass legislation to legalize cannabis. Last year Ohio tried passing legislation that would make marijuana recreationally available but it did not get voter approval. In a second chance effort, Ohio is now trying to provide medical marijuana to it’s residents. In a close vote, senators passed legislation that would allow people to use marijuana for medical conditions, but prohibit them from growing cannabis or smoking it in their homes.

John Kasich‘s signature would bring Ohio into the realm of medical marijuana states making it the 25th one. He has not been vocal on where he stands, but has shown support for children suffering from issues addressable by cannabis.

More from Cincinnati.com:

What’s in the Legislature’s medical marijuana legalization plan?

• Adults could buy and use oil, tinctures, plant material, edibles and patches with a doctor’s recommendation. Parents could purchase these products for their children younger than 18 with a doctor’s referral.
• The Ohio Department of Commerce would oversee those who grow, process and test medical marijuana. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy would register patients and caregivers and license dispensaries. The Ohio State Medical Board would handle certificates for doctors who want to recommend marijuana.
• A program to reduce the cost of medical marijuana for veterans and others too poor to pay.
• The ability to purchase medical marijuana from other states while Ohio sets up its program. This would expire 60 days after the pharmacy board establishes its rules.
• Legal medical marijuana for people with these conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is chronic, severe, or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, posttraumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

What’s not in the plan?

• Smoking medical marijua
• Growing medical marijuana at home
• Any details on who could grow marijuana commercially. That would be determined later by the Ohio Department of Commerce.
• Any requirement that pharmacists oversee dispensaries. That was initially added by senators then removed Tuesday.
• Protections for employees fired from their jobs because they used medical marijuana.

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