Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jun 2016
Source: Courier, The (OH)
Copyright: 2016 The Findlay Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.thecourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2293

LEAP OF FAITH

Lawmakers weren't bluffing when they pledged they would consider 
medical marijuana after an outside group's effort to legalize pot 
failed last November.

Much of that push, of course, came from polls suggesting Ohioans 
favor medical marijuana, and from concerns that outsiders would again 
try for a more liberal marijuana law by amending the state constitution.

Not only did lawmakers carefully study the issue, they passed a bill 
that will become law if Gov. John Kasich signs it.

Kasich should. House Bill 523, while not perfect, is a conservative 
approach to allow those with legitimate medical conditions to have 
access to a drug that can benefit them when others don't. The 
legislation won't appease all. Some people still believe marijuana 
should not be legalized in any shape or form.

Others believe HB 523 doesn't go far enough, and that "patients" 
should be able to smoke their medicine, something that is not 
permitted under the pot bill. Instead, those approved for use will be 
prescribed an oil, edible, tincture or vapor form of marijuana.

Medical users also won't be able to grow their own. Under the bill, 
marijuana growers will be tightly regulated and prescriptions will be 
filled through state-licensed dispensaries. Kasich's approval is 
important for another reason: it would likely diffuse attempts to 
implement more liberal pot laws through the Constitution.

The bill's passage has already halted Ohioans for Medical Marijuana 
from circulating petitions to get the issue on the general election ballot.

That proposal, among other things, would have allowed medical users 
to smoke and grow marijuana.

Another group is still circulating petitions, but it's unclear if 
they'll obtain enough signatures to make the ballot.

Even if Kasich does sign HB 523, it will take time to set up the 
regulatory structure to guide medical marijuana. It will not be until 
2017 when the first pot prescriptions will be available. The bill 
calls for the governor and legislative leaders to appoint a 14-member 
Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee to develop rules and regulations.

The Department of Commerce will oversee cultivation, and the pharmacy 
board will license dispensaries. The state medical board will 
establish which physicians will be able to recommend marijuana use to patients.

Still, Ohio is better off with medical marijuana passed through 
legislation than by a constitutional amendment. Should the need 
arise, lawmakers can simply introduce a new bill. "Fixing" the 
constitution takes more time and would require going back to voters. 
Like it or not, medical marijuana appears to have arrived.

Lawmakers deserve credit for carrying through with their promise to 
address such a contentious issue. That the bill passed with 
bipartisan support is no small achievement.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom