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    Kasich Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana, Ballot Initiative Cancelled

    By the end of summer, people suffering from chronic and painful ailments will have access to marijuana for palliative treatment. Ohio is now the 26th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Gov. John Kasich signed the bill into law last week, rendering a competing ballot measure somewhat irrelevant.

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    Ohioans will be able to bring legally purchased medical marijuana from other states back to Ohio starting September 6. Until physicians become certified and each step of the production and distribution process is established, people won’t be able to purchase it in state. Dispensaries will open throughout Ohio by late 2017 or early 2018.

    At that time, people suffering with cancer, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, a seizure disorder, or chronic or severe pain will be able to consume marijuana via vaporizers, edibles and oils.

    The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), in conjunction with Ohioans for Medical Marijuana (OMM), have been pushing for a chance at a ballot vote on a measure similar to the one passed by Kasich. Their proposal would have allowed smoking and home growing the plant, which are still illegal under the new law.

    “Because the state adopted a workable law, MPP suspended its signature collection campaign,” said the MPP website. “We are pleased that ill patients in Ohio will have access to this important treatment option upon their doctors’ recommendations and hope the process to implement rules and create a workable system will move forward quickly.”

    After the law is in effect, MPP and OMM plan to “continue advocacy efforts to ensure that the State of Ohio lives up to the promises contained in HB 523, while also working to better the program using the ballot initiative proposal as a roadmap for these improvements.”

    Individuals who have a qualifying condition, and whose doctors prescribe marijuana as treatment, will have to review any drug free workplace policy their employer might have established. Employees who are using medical marijuana and test positive for the drug will not be protected from loss or refusal of employment because of the positive test result. Unemployment is not an option either.

    This and the prohibition of smoking or growing the plant are some of the issues with the bill laid out by MPP. Some of the language on the MPP website suggests an impending effort to legalize the drug for recreational purposes.

    “While Ohio’s marijuana penalties are less draconian than its neighbors, law enforcement officers are still wasting valuable time and resources,” the site said.

    More than 14,000 people were arrested in 2012 for marijuana-related offenses, all but six percent for possession only.

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    Lauren Sega
    Lauren Segahttps://columbusunderground.com
    Lauren Sega is the former Associate Editor for Columbus Underground and a current freelance writer for CU. She covers political issues on the local and state levels, as well as local food and restaurant news. She grew up near Cleveland, graduated from Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism, and loves running, traveling and hiking.
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