Medical Marijuana Updates

In the Buckeye State, three initiatives to legalize medical marijuana are underway. Ohio House Bill 214 would allow qualified patients to possess 200 grams of marijuana and 12 mature plants. It has been assigned to the Committee of Health and Aging for discussion. The second initiative is the Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment. If passed, this constitutional amendment would permit patients or caregivers to grow 12 plants and possess up to 3.5 ounces of processed marijuana. To date, amendment supporters have failed to collect enough valid signatures to get amendment wording approved by Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The last initiative, the Ohio Medical Cannabis Act of 2012, would establish a governing body to oversee medical marijuana production and distribution, similar to the state’s regulation of vineyards and alcoholic beverage sales. “The proposed language has addressed many of the issues we have seen other states stumble over either during or as a result of the implementation of such a law,” said Dee Mason, president of Working Partners^®. However, on September 20, Attorney General Mike Dewine rejected the bill’s summary because of content flaws.

Besides Ohio, Washington and California have also been dealing with medical marijuana issues. Seattle, in response to the state allowing municipalities to run their own programs, has established a new licensing and registration system for medical marijuana distributors. In April, San Diego increased restrictions on dispensaries but voters challenged the adjustments, causing the city council to repeal these restrictions