Pubdate: Sat, 28 May 2016
Source: Review, The (Alliance, OH)
Copyright: 2016 Alliance Publishing Co, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.the-review.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4775
Author: Marc Kovac Review Capital Bureau

MARIJUANA BALLOT EFFORT SUSPENDED

COLUMBUS - A group eyeing a November ballot issue to legalize medical
marijuana has suspended its signature-gathering efforts, days after
lawmakers finalized legislation to create a state-regulated system for
providing the drug to patients suffering certain conditions.

Brandon Lynaugh, campaign manager for Ohioans for Medical Marijuana,
said in a released statement Saturday morning that the difficulties in
raising the needed funds to place a proposed constitutional amendment
on the ballot and run a successful campaign were difficult
propositions, given the legislature's action and Gov. John Kasich's
expected signature.

"To be sure, there are shortcomings to the legislature's measure,"
Lynaugh said. "There are a number of qualifying conditions which
should have been included, and we firmly believe that patients should
have the right to smoke and grow their own medical marijuana. But, all
in all, it is a moderately good piece of legislation passed by
lawmakers who were pushed hard by the patient community."

Lawmakers pursued the medical marijuana law changes, in part, to
thwart the ballot issue, saying repeatedly that it would be better to
have a state-regulated system that could be amended by the legislature
rather than a constitutional amendment.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) said the group's
decision Saturday was "welcomed news."

"But more importantly, it is an indication of the general assembly's
willingness to listen and respond to the will of Ohioans," he said in
a released statement. "By shepherding the passage of House Bill 523,
they offered a common-sense plan to Ohioans that provides a system for
legalizing medical marijuana that is tightly regulated but accessible
to those who need it."

The legislation calls for a new Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee
to make recommendations for allowing use of the drug by approved
patients, with ultimate regulatory control in the hands the Ohio
Department of Commerce and the state pharmacy and medical boards.
Rules would cover the cultivation, processing and sale of the drug.
Doctors would have to direct medical marijuana use for their patients,
with limits on the amount of the drug they could possess.

The legislation lists more than 20 medical conditions that would
qualify for marijuana use. And it bans smoked forms of the drug and
home-grown supplies.
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