Source: The Columbus Dispatch
On May 5, the House Select Committee on Medical Marijuana unanimously passed out of committee Substitute House Bill 523, doctor a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio. A vote on the bill is anticipated by the full Ohio House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 10.
- 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 the State Medical Board of Ohio, would regulate the system for growing, processing, prescribing and dispensing.
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. The Ohio General Assembly plans to have legislation enacted before breaking for the summer months.
The American Academy of Family Physicians’ policy on medical marijuana states “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.”