On May 10, the Ohio House of Representatives passed Substitute House Bill (HB) 523, a bill to legalize medical marijuana, by a vote of 71 to 26. The Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee has already begun holding hearings on the medical marijuana proposal.
State legislators are in a hurry to get some sort of medical marijuana legislation passed in hopes of warding off medical marijuana issues appearing on the statewide ballot this fall. House leaders believe the bill will be enacted before the Ohio General Assembly breaks for the summer.
- Ohioans with qualifying illnesses and medical conditions would be able to obtain marijuana if the marijuana is prescribed by a physician
- Medical marijuana could be used in a vapor form, but not smoked
- Homegrown marijuana would not be permitted
- A special medical marijuana commission, operating under the Ohio Department of Commerce in consultation with the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy and State of Ohio Medical Board, would regulate the system for growing, processing, prescribing, and dispensing.
“The AAFP recognizes that there is support for the medical use of marijuana, but advocates that usage be based on high quality, patient-centered, evidence-based research and advocates for further studies into the use of medical marijuana and related compounds. The AAFP requests that the Food and Drug Administration change marijuana’s classification for the purpose of facilitating clinical research. This process should also ensure that funding be available for such research.
The AAFP also recognizes that some states have passed laws approving the medical use of marijuana; the AAFP does not endorse such laws. The AAFP encourages its members to be knowledgeable of the laws of their states and consult with their state medical boards for guidance regarding the use of medical marijuana.”