COLUMBUS (AP) - Republican Gov. John Kasich signed a bill Wednesday legalizing medical marijuana in Ohio, though patients shouldn't expect to get it from dispensaries here anytime soon.

The bill lays out a number of steps that must happen first to set up the state's medical marijuana program, which is expected to be fully operational in about two years. The law would allow patients to use marijuana in vapor form for certain chronic health conditions, but bar them from smoking it or growing it at home.

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Ohio voters have an opportunity to legalize marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, while licensing its commercial sale on a statewide basis.

They also will decide whether commercial monopolies should be denied a place in the state constitution.

And should they pass both issues on the November ballot, one will nullify the other.

That's the story on Issue 2, which deals with commercial monopolies, among other things, and Issue 3, the controversial initiative that would legalize marijuana.

If Issue 2 passes, the marijuana issue cannot be implemented even if it, too, receives a mandate.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - As a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, a collector of antique marijuana apothecary jars, the founder of an industrial hemp business and "a pot smoker consistently for 47 years," Don Wirtshafter, an Ohio lawyer, has fought for decades to make marijuana legal, calling it "my life's work."

But when Ohio voters go to the polls Tuesday to consider a constitutional amendment to allow marijuana for both medical and personal use, Mr. Wirtshafter will vote against it.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - As a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, a collector of antique marijuana apothecary jars, the founder of an industrial hemp business and "a pot smoker consistently for 47 years," Don Wirtshafter, an Ohio lawyer, has fought for decades to make marijuana legal, calling it "my life's work."

But when Ohio voters go to the polls Tuesday to consider a constitutional amendment to allow marijuana for both medical and personal use, Wirtshafter will vote against it.

Issue 3, as the proposed amendment is known, is bankrolled by wealthy investors spending nearly $25 million to put it on the ballot and sell it to voters. If it passes, they would have exclusive rights to growing commercial marijuana in Ohio.

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Legalizing Marijuana in Ohio Shouldn't Require Giving Constitutional Cover to a Self-Selected Cartel of Growers

Ohio voters deserve the opportunity to choose whether they want to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. But if they decide they do, they should not be forced in the process to make a small group of rich Ohioans enormously richer. That is the fatal flaw of Issue 3 on this fall's statewide ballot, and why the proposal deserves a NO vote.

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Words Matter, Especially on Statewide Ballot Issues.

Assuming that ResponsibleOhio's marijuana legalization constitutional amendment qualifies for the ballot - which seems likely given the 95,572 supplemental signatures the group submitted on Thursday - next up is a crucial stop at the Ohio Ballot Board.

The five-member board, chaired by Secretary of State Jon Husted and controlled 3-2 by Republicans, will meet later this month to work out the specific language Ohio voters will see on three statewide issues on Nov. 3.

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Editor's note: A group called ResponsibleOhio is proposing a state constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana and allow 10 Ohio sites owned and operated by investor groups to grow it. ResponsibleOhio is pushing to get their measure on the November ballot.

Today, we hear from ResponsibleOhio as well as from Drug Free Action Alliance, an Ohio nonprofit whose mission is to help prevent substance abuse. We also hear from some of our readers about legalizing marijuana. - Connie Post

ResponsibleOhio: A common-sense approach to ending marijuana prohibition

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A ballot initiative to legalize marijuana and create a forprofit industry was ripped yesterday by some of Ohio's top elected officials, who called it "outrageous" and a "stupid idea" to create a dangerous constitutional monopoly.

"I don't know (if) I've ever seen a worse idea than this," Secretary of State Jon Husted said at a Columbus forum sponsored by the Associated Press.

Auditor Dave Yost called it "outrageous we are creating business monopolies by ballot issues. ... What's next, 12 monopolies for whorehouses in the 12 largest counties?"

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In the wake of Colorado and Washington legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, efforts to change the laws in Ohio are being debated statewide.

On May 2, Democratic state Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown introduced House Bill 153, which would allow for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The bill did not make it very far through the state legislature, though.

Simon Dunkle, director of media relations for the Ohio Rights Group, said a hearing was not scheduled for the bill, and it died in the committee stage.

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A state lawmaker isn't holding his breath in anticipation of action by the Republican-controlled Ohio House on his proposal to legalize marijuana use for medical purposes.

Rep. Bob Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, doesn't think his House Bill 153 will move much beyond the sponsor testimony he offered before the chamber's health committee Wednesday. It's the latest attempt to legalize medical marijuana over recent general assemblies, none of which have gained support for passage.

So Hagan is urging support for a constitutional amendment on the issue.

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COLUMBUS -- A state lawmaker isn't holding his breath in anticipation of action by the Republican-controlled Ohio House on his proposal to legalize marijuana use for medical purposes.

Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, doesn't think his HB 153 won't move much beyond the sponsor testimony he offered before the chamber's health committee Wednesday. It's the latest attempt to legalize medical marijuana over recent general assemblies, none of which have gained support for passage.

So Hagan is urging support for a constitutional amendment on the issue.

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