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Rep. Stephen Huffman
Medical
Marijuana Legislation Passes Ohio House
HB 523 creates commission to tightly regulate marijuana policy
COLUMBUS—Legislation to legalize medical marijuana passed the Ohio
House of Representatives today. The bill works to tightly regulate the
distribution of medical marijuana, while ensuring access to those who
need the medicine for certain conditions.
Among the components of House Bill 523 is the creation of the Medical
Marijuana Control Commission, consisting of nine people representing
all sides of the medical marijuana issue and appointed by the Governor
and legislative leaders. The commission is responsible for regulating
and licensing seed-to-sale operations of the drug, such as cultivators,
retail dispensaries, independent testing labs, processors and
physicians.
Through working one-on-one with patients, physicians licensed by the
State Medical Board can recommend medical marijuana, though they may
not personally furnish or dispense the product. Physicians must keep a
log of the recommendations of medical marijuana, as well as the
conditions and reasons for why marijuana was recommended for treatment
over another drug.
“House Bill 523 is all about the patients,” said Rep. Stephen Huffman,
the bill’s sponsor and a practicing physician for more than 20 years.
“I believe that this develops a great balance for the needs of
patients, physicians, and the citizens of Ohio. It also sets limits to
avoid wider use of medical marijuana in the state of Ohio.”
The bill provides protections for businesses to allow employers to
maintain drug-free policies in the workplace, ensuring the safety of
all employees and the efficiency of the business as whole.
The legislation is a result of much deliberation, including seven
hearings and nearly 25 hours of testimony in the Medical Marijuana Task
Force, a panel spearheaded by Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger
(R-Clarksville) and chaired by Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton). The task
force heard testimony from several experts from around the country, as
well as employers, law enforcement officers, Ohioans suffering from
severe pain, and drug addiction facilities. Schuring also chaired the
Select Committee on Medical Marijuana, a bipartisan group of House
legislators who held nine hearings over the past three weeks on House
Bill 523.
“This bill is the result of an open process throughout the task force
and select committee that included input from people on all sides of
the issue,” Schuring said. “It was important that the legislature lead
on this issue, and I believe House Bill 523 strikes a balance between
meeting the needs of Ohioans with serious medical conditions and taking
a step to protect our state constitution.”
Also under the bill:
Home-growing marijuana is prohibited
Smoking marijuana is prohibited
The Commission will conduct background checks on all applicants
The Commission will establish and maintain a record containing the
number of patients and medical conditions for which medical marijuana
is recommended
The General Assembly and Administration will advocate Congress and the
US Drug Enforcement Administration to reschedule marijuana from
Schedule I to Schedule II
The General Assembly shall create an incentive program for institutions
of higher learning and medical institutions to perform academic and
medical research
Minors must have consent from a parent or guardian to use medical
marijuana
If signed into law, medical marijuana legalization would be phased in
within a two-year period: One year to promulgate rules and another year
to move forward for implementation.
The bill now awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.
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