Medical Marijuana Problems

Ohio lawmakers working on a medical marijuana bill want to prohibit smoking medical marijuana and limit the amount of THC in plants and extracts.

(Marina Riker, Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Patients using marijuana could not smoke marijuana flowers nor use cannabis with high levels of THC under revisions expected to be made Wednesday to Ohio's proposed medical marijuana law.

State lawmakers wrestled with the idea someone would "smoke their medicine" and had initially wanted an appointed commission to decide whether Ohio would allow smoking. But revisions planned for House Bill 523 specify marijuana could not be smoked or available in products attractive to children, such as gummy bears. It would allow patients to use a vaporizer, which heats marijuana to the point it releases chemicals but not smoke.

The revised bill also limits the amount of psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in marijuana plants and extracts. THC causes a "high" but also has been proven to increase appetite and decrease nausea, as well as reduce pain.

The bill requires a THC content between 3 and 35 percent for plant material and no greater than 70 percent for extracts. Some marijuana flower and products being sold in Colorado and other legal states fall outside of those amounts.

The bill still doesn't allow homegrown marijuana and tasks an appointed commission to write rules for how marijuana would be grown and sold. The bill allows patients to use marijuana if recommended by a physician with whom they have an established relationship. The physician must register to recommend marijuana and would have to designate the form of marijuana as well as the method of consuming it.

The changes to the bill -- which is separate from two proposed ballot initiatives to legalize medical marijuana -- follow hours of testimony before the House Select Committee on Medical Marijuana, much of it from patients and their families about how to expand access to marijuana and protect patients.

Other proposed changes to the bill



About 20 qualifying medical conditions are outlined, including post-traumatic stress disorder, seizure disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and intractable pain. The initial version let doctors decide whether the patient could benefit from marijuana.

Parents and other caregivers would not be arrested for administering marijuana to patients.

A parent's medical marijuana use would not automatically qualify as child abuse or neglect and medical marijuana use or possession could not be the sole reason to revoke parental rights.

Patients from other legal medical marijuana states could use their ID cards to buy and use marijuana in Ohio if their state's qualifications are comparable to Ohio's.

A program to help veterans or poor people obtain marijuana, which is not covered by medical insurance.

At least 15 percent of the cultivator, processor, testing and distributor licenses would have to be issued to Ohioans who are black, American Indian, Hispanic or Asian

Marijuana businesses could not be within 1,000 feet of a school, church, public library, public playground or public park.

Lawyers, CPAs and medical professionals who provide marijuana-related services would be exempt from disciplinary action.

Physicians who recommend medical marijuana would have to complete continuing education credits on the topic.

After the initial 90-day recommendation, patients would have to follow-up in-person with their physician. But after that, the doctor could renew the recommendation in 90-day increments for one year. The initial bill required in-person visits every 90 days.

A toll-free telephone line would be established to answer questions about medical marijuana.

Next steps

The House committee is expected to accept the revised bill Wednesday afternoon and approve it on Thursday. That sets it up for a House floor vote as early as Tuesday.

The Senate would then review the bill, with the goal of passing legislation before the end of the month when lawmakers leave town for summer break.

Meanwhile,

. Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, backed by national group

, and Grassroots Ohioans.