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Attorneys may not help clients establish, operate, or do business with a medical marijuana business in Ohio, according to an Ohio Supreme Court board, even though medical pot is about to become legal in the Buckeye State.

(Glen Stubbe, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

COLUMBUS, OHIO--Lawyers cannot provide legal services to establish, operate, or help someone do business with a medical marijuana business in Ohio, even though the state is about to legalize its use, according to an Ohio Supreme Court board.

That's because marijuana is still banned under federal law, according to an advisory opinion released last week by the Supreme Court's Board of Professional Conduct.

The board also asserted that any lawyer who uses medical marijuana personally or owns or is employed by a dispensary may face possible federal prosecution, and such activity "may adversely reflect on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, and overall fitness to practice law."

Attorneys are allowed to explain Ohio's medical marijuana law and give advice about the legality and consequences of operating under it and federal law, according to the advisory opinion.

The board's opinion conflicts with Ohio's medical marijuana law, which grants immunity to attorneys doing business with the medical marijuana industry. While the opinion is non-binding, it asserts the Supreme Court's power to discipline lawyers who become involved with medical marijuana businesses.

Westlake attorney Thomas Haren said he believes the board's opinion leaves lawyers in a quandary, as it prevents them from providing basic services that they can provide for any other business in Ohio.

Haren said he expects the Supreme Court will have to amend its rules to address the issue.

If it doesn't, he said, the advisory opinion will become a significant hindrance to anyone who wants to be involved in the medical marijuana industry -- such as opening a dispensary business -- or anyone who wants to do business with someone associated with the industry -- such as a landlord leasing space to a business.

"It's disappointing - to lawyers and to clients who want to be involved in the medical marijuana industry," Haren said.

Ethics panels in most of the other 24 states to legalize medical marijuana have permitted attorney involvement in the marijuana industry, including Connecticut and Washington state.

Hawaii's disciplinary board, however, issued an opinion last year stating that attorneys could not provide counsel to help establish a marijuana business, as they would be considered to be assisting a federal crime.

Cleveland.com reporter Robert Higgs contributed to this story.