Bills Proposed to Allow Medical Marijuana, Let Voters Decide on Broader Reform
While Ohio is considered a “decrim” state, its marijuana laws still have plenty of room for improvement. Ohio currently lacks protections for people who use marijuana as a medicine. Rep. Bob Hagan aims to change that. Rep. Hagan has introduced HB 153, which would establish a framework for a regulated medical marijuana system in the state. Similar to previous legislation introduced by Rep. Hagan, this bill is similar to programs already in place in 18 other states.
Medical marijuana programs are overwhelmingly supported by Americans. A Pew Research Poll in April 2013 showed that 77% of respondents believe marijuana has legitimate medical uses. It’s time for Ohio to stop punishing those who benefit from the use of medical marijuana to alleviate their debilitating medical conditions.
Rep. Hagan has also introduced a resolution, HJR 6, which would allow voters to decide whether to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol for adults 21 years of age or older. The provision recognizes that the market should not be run by criminals but by law-abiding citizens. While already safer than alcohol, a regulated market would be a vast improvement.
Please encourage your state legislators to support HB 153 and HJR 6 to stop punishing people who are sick and in pain and to let the voters decide how best to treat adult marijuana consumption.
Marijuana laws in Ohio
Possession of less than 100 grams (or about 3.5 ounces), a gift to another person of 20 grams or less, and marijuana growing of less than 100 grams are each considered “minor misdemeanors,” punishable by a maximum fine of $150. A minor misdemeanor is not a “jailable” offense, but a person’s driver’s license can be suspended for a period ranging from six months to five years. You can read more about Ohio’s marijuana laws, including statistics and enforcement trends, in this excellent summary by Jon Gettman, Ph.D.
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