Medical marijuana bill introduced in Ohio House

Ohio legislators unveiled a bill this week that could legalize medical marijuana in the state by this summer (Source: “Lawmakers want medical marijuana legal in Ohio by summer,” Associated Press via Lima News, April 13, 2016).

Medical marijuana will be legalized in Ohio by summer, state representatives pledged Wednesday, calling their legislative effort more responsible and comprehensive than any ballot proposal.

The legislation, House Bill 523,  would allow licensed doctors to prescribe edibles, patches, plant material and oils. State Rep. Kirk Schuring, a Canton Republican who chaired a medical marijuana task force, said it will prohibit home growing — which he says is too hard to control.

The House leaders set an aggressive schedule for the legislation. It would clear the House this month, the Senate next month, reach Republican Gov. John Kasich by May 31 and become law by Aug. 31. A nine-member Medical Marijuana Control Commission would be appointed within 30 days of the law taking effect and take about a year to write rules for the program. Dispensaries could be up and running in under two years, Schuring said.

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio created a Marijuana legalization in Ohio resource page to provide stakeholders with research and other resources related to the issue.