While everyone seems to have a vested interest in the debate, WLWT News 5 investigative reporter Todd Dykes talked to one man whose interest is more vested than most. His name is Tom Stevenson, and he has quite a story to tell.

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Two Ohio senators spent several hours in Cincinnati on Thursday listening to people talk about the pros and cons of medical marijuana.The listening session, featuring Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) and David Burke (R-Marysville) was hosted by the University of Cincinnati.Watch this storyAmong the speakers was Sara Deaterla, an educator and licensed social worker who lives in Jackson, Ohio.Her daughter, 5-year-old Marley, has a disease called tuberous sclerosis."It's benign tumors," Sara Deaterla said. "And in her case, the tumors are in her brain."Deaterla is among those who say now is the time to make medical marijuana a legal remedy for certain illnesses like the one which has forced her little girl to undergo seven brain surgeries."Since she has failed so many drugs we have no more options," Deaterla said. "I'm not asking for candy. I'm not asking for recreational marijuana. I'm asking for medical marijuana."She believes access to medicinal pot would stop the seizures Marley experiences daily and improve her cognitive skills.Yuko is on Sara Deaterla's side."These are people we have the ability to help, but we're not helping because we have this silly perception that it hasn't been approved by the federal government," Yuko said. "Well, I say, 'You know what? Time's been long enough.'"Yuko continued, "It's time for us to get this thing approved and start reaching out, not make this a 'who's going to become a millionaire?' This isn't about monopolies. This is about saving lives and improving the quality of life for so many people who are suffering, and if we can't do that there's something wrong with us. We have the ability as legislators. Let's legislate."Burke, who's also a pharmacist, is more skeptical."I grew up in a generation that was just say no. But the generation in front of me and the generation behind me didn't hear that message or they grew up in a different environment, and they seem to be kind of OK with it, so it runs the spectrum."While opinion polls suggest a majority of Ohio voters support medical marijuana Sen. Burke points out voters shot down a pro-pot ballot measure in November."There's lots of numbers of who supports what," Burke said. "I mean, the issue went down, what, just 90 days ago? Sixty-five percent of Ohioans said no. And then I hear people say 80 to 90 percent say yes. So which is it? That's why we've come out into the state, and we're going to different areas to hear what people have to say because it's a mixed message here in Ohio, and it's a mixed message from the federal level."Burke says lawmakers could pursue a ballot initiative or pass legislation which would make marijuana legal for medicinal purposes.Sara Deaterla knows lawmakers could also decide to do nothing, but she says knowing senators Yuko and Burke are willing to listen is a big step forward.The event at UC followed a similar listening session last week in Cleveland.Similar events will also be held in Columbus and Toledo.**Sen. David Burke's website - http://ohiosenate.gov/burkeSen. Kenny Yuko's website - http://ohiosenate.gov/yuko