Ohio Senator Introducing New Medical Marijuana Bill

Ohio Senator, Kenny Yuko, has plans to introduce a medical marijuana bill for state legislators to vote on in the near future. The proposal could be completed and submitted for review as early as next month. Questions surrounding Republican officials in Ohio still remains up in the air.

Those with specific medical conditions including seizures and PTSD would be eligible. Medical marijuana would have to be approved by a treating physician with a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, according to Cleveland.com.

Republicans are on-board for medical marijuana legalization, but as far as recreational marijuana is concerned, there is no Republican support statewide. Medical research would have to support the bill along with a tight system to control the distribution and purchasing of medical marijuana, according to Senate President Keith Faber.

The rush to complete this bill and hand it off to lawmakers is due to their schedule summer break, which begins in June. Legislators are not expected to return to their offices until after the Presidential election in November, which is too far off for those that need the medicine in Ohio.

In 2016, a total of 3 state constitutional amendments have been proposed. Senator Yuko is still seeking additional sponsors for his bill. His biggest hope for support is from Senator Dave Burke, who has neglected to return phone calls.

Schuring says, “What motivates us is doing what’s right for the people of Ohio and if we do something it’s safe and efficacious for people who want to use it. That’s the paramount goal.”

Ohio also has a House Marijuana Task Force in place. One task force member, Republican Kirk Schuring, says that there are no plans for the task force to make a recommendation regarding the bill. The overall consensus in Ohio is that there is support for medical marijuana use and legalization. The only major opposing arguments are marijuana use on the job and those faking illnesses to take advantage of the program.