Medical Marijuana

A medical marijuana bill moving through the Ohio Statehouse aims to offer voters an option to a constitutional amendment proposed by national group Marijuana Policy Project. See how the two measures are similar and different.

(Jim Mone/Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State lawmakers are fast-tracking a medical marijuana bill in part because they'd prefer to write the rules for its use, rather than accept language written by an out-of-state advocacy group.

House Bill 523 cleared the House last week with broad, bipartisan support, while Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, funded by national group Marijuana Policy Project, continued to collect signatures for its proposed constitutional amendment. Another ballot measure, from group Grassroots Ohioans, doesn't appear likely to qualify for the ballot this year.

Both the House bill and the amendment would allow Ohioans with certain medical conditions to buy and use marijuana after obtaining permission from their doctor. Both would allow people to eat marijuana-infused food and use marijuana-infused lotions and oils. And both would allow patients to use marijuana from other states while the dispensary system is established.

But that's where the similarities end.

Learn more about how the two compare.

This post has been updated to reflect changes made to the bill and approved in the final version.

House Bill 523 vs. Ohioans for Medical Marijuana

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