Dive Brief:
- Ohio lawmakers have convened a bipartisan task force to study the issue of medical marijuana, the Columbus Business First reports.
- The move follows a failed ballot initiative last November to legalize recreational and medical use of pot.
- Members of the state House of Representatives dropped a separate proposal that would have required a review of marijuana sentences — and expunging of criminal records — for people with minor convictions.
Dive Insight:
“The goal of this task force is to have a methodical and holistic approach to the conversation, which means including members on both sides of the aisle, as well as medical experts, community advocacy groups and law enforcement officers," Cliff Rosenberger, speaker of the Ohio House, said in a press release.
Rosenberger said the task force will hold hearings over the next few months to gather information and hear testimony on the pros and cons of the issue.
How fair a hearing medical marijuana will get remains to be seen. The task force is heavily populated with medical and business groups that opposed legalizing recreational cannabis.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of state senators are planning a road trip to hear Ohioans’ ideas for legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, according to Cleveland.com.
Currently, 23 states allow people with specified medical problems to purchase and consume marijuana, while 17 permit the use of marijuana that is high in cannabidiol but low in tetrahydrocannabidiol, allowing patients to get relief from their symptoms without getting high.