With Ohio still divided over changing its cannabis laws, its state Senate is working to add a bit of compromise between the pro-legalization and anti-legalization groups. They are attempting to have a new bill that will change the allowances of medical marijuana. Specifically, it will allow its usage in very specific situations. This is not the first time that states have made these allowances.

Details

The new bill that the Ohio senate is trying to push forward will allow medical marijuana for specific situations. The bill will allow medical marijuana usage specifically when physicians “reasonably” believe that it will help the patient’s symptoms or otherwise benefit. That’s not all, as the bill will also make it easier for the government to regulate the sale and usage. The bill would result in the creation of the Division of Marijuana Control, which will be a part of the Commerce Department. 

Background

Senator Steve Huffman, the bill’s sponsor, believes that this will allow the Commerce Department to offer more licenses as the market continues to grow. He also hopes that it will put pressure on current license holders to bring the product to market more quickly. Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, a cosponsor of the bill, stated that the bill didn’t cover everything he hoped it would. However, he does feel that it is a great step in the right direction.

Issues

There are some barriers that have popped up with the introduction of this bill. It is competing for attention with three recreational marijuana proposals. Two of these proposals come from the Statehouse, while the other comes from the ballot box. However, both of the sponsors of this new bill point out the distinction between medicinal and recreational marijuana. They also state that the other ideas are different conversations.

Another aspect that was pointed out to be missing from the new bill is focusing on home cultivation. The lawmakers are divided on how many plants home cultivators would be able to grow. Also, Yuko and Huffman are divided over this topic. Yuko thinks it’s fair to home cultivators to allow them, but Huffman isn’t as supportive because it could support illicit sales or become a magnet for theft.

Hope

Regardless of the divisions over the bill and what it means, activists see this as a step in the right direction in regards to legalization. With the introduction of this bill, it could mean that the lawmakers are bringing it to the forefront.

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