Medical Marijuana

Sen. Kenny Yuko, a Richmond Heights Democrat, plans to introduce a bill legalizing marijuana for medical use in Ohio.

(Jim Mone, Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio lawmakers could take a look at a medical marijuana bill as soon as next month, but it's unclear whether Statehouse Republican leaders will support the legislation.

Sen. Kenny Yuko, a Richmond Heights Democrat, told cleveland.com he plans to introduce a bill in the next few weeks based on medical marijuana laws in 23 other states and the District of Columbia. People with specified medical conditions, including seizure disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, could buy and consume marijuana if approved by a doctor who has a history of treating the patient.

Yuko gave no other details about the bill, including who might grow the marijuana for the program. He said the bill is a starting point and he hopes his Senate colleagues will weigh in on the bill so it can be passed before June.

"It's a piece of legislation that most people who are reading it are finding palatable and are supportive of it," Yuko said.

Why the rush?

Yuko said lawmakers need to pass the bill before they leave Columbus in June for their summer break. Legislators likely won't return to work until after the November election and by then, action could be moot.

Three constitutional amendments legalizing medical marijuana have been proposed this year, and polls show Ohio voters overwhelmingly support medical marijuana.

Are Republicans on board?

Senate President Keith Faber told reporters last month that there was support for medical marijuana among Senate Republicans, but any marijuana legalization would have to be supported by medical research and tightly controlled.

Earlier this year, Yuko and Sen. Dave Burke, a Marysville Republican, held day-long hearings in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo to solicit Ohioans' opinions on the issue.

Yuko said Burke's office has been reviewing the legislation for a few weeks and he hoped the Republican will jointly sponsor the bill. Burke did not return multiple phone calls last week seeking his opinion of the bill.

What about the House medicinal marijuana task force?

The House medicinal marijuana task force has one more hearing scheduled this month. Task force leader Rep. Kirk Schuring said legislation is premature at this point.

Schuring, a Canton Republican, said the task force will not make a recommendation or produce a report but could "enter another phase" with the information it has gathered from Ohioans, Ohio physicians and experts from across the country. The 15-member task force includes three legislators, two former leaders of pro-Issue 3 group ResponsibleOhio, two physicians and representatives from organizations who opposed Issue 3.

Most of the people who have testified at the hearings support medical marijuana use. Opponents have expressed concerns about employees using marijuana on the job and that non-patients might abuse the program.

Schuring said the task force is not delaying action and he doesn't feel pressured to act quickly because of a possible November ballot measure.

"What motivates us is doing what's right for the people of Ohio and if we do something it's safe and efficacious for people who want to use it," Schuring said. "That's the paramount goal."