Pubdate: Wed, 04 May 2016
Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH)
Copyright: 2016 The Columbus Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.dispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93
Author: Darrel Rowland

NEWEST POT BILL WOULD BAR SMOKING

Ohioans could not legally smoke medical marijuana under a revamped 
proposal being rolled out today by state legislators.

Those with a prescription for medical marijuana would be allowed to 
use vaporization or other inhalant devices.

But the new restriction in the legislation, targeted for a House vote 
Tuesday, probably sets up a public battle with supporters of proposed 
November ballot issues that would allow smoking.

Rep. Kirk Schuring of Canton, who was set to brief his fellow GOP 
House members Tuesday night on the revised measure, said he hopes the 
special committee he chairs approves the new plan Thursday after 
seeing it for the first time today. After House passage, Schuring 
said, he is optimistic the Senate and Kasich administration will 
quickly approve Ohio becoming the 25th state to legalize medical marijuana.

The previous version of House Bill 523 did not directly address smoking.

Both versions would bar homegrown marijuana, which would be allowed 
by the ballot measures.

The substitute bill also would ban marijuana edibles "in a form that 
is considered to be attractive to children."

Unlike the original bill, the amended legislation specifies 20 
ailments for which medical marijuana could be prescribed. The list 
includes cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C, sickle-cell anemia, epilepsy, 
Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as 
"pain that is chronic, severe and intractable."

Other provisions added to the proposal:

The state will set up a program to help qualifying medical-marijuana 
patients who are veterans or poor obtain the drug.

Radio and TV ads for medical marijuana would be prohibited.

Reciprocity agreements could be set up with other states that have 
regulations " substantively similar" to Ohio's.

Caregivers would be exempt from arrest and prosecution for obtaining 
or providing medical marijuana for those in their care.

Lawyers, CPAs and medical professionals would be exempt from 
administrative disciplinary action relating to services they provide 
related to the substance.

As with the original bill, employers are not required to accommodate 
an employee's use of medical marijuana.

The bill's establishment of a nine-member Marijuana Control 
Commission to administer the new law was tweaked. Three members 
apiece will be appointed by the governor, speaker of the House and 
Senate president. No more than four can be from one political party. 
They will get a per diem for expenses but no salary.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom