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Senate Democrats May Be Key For Medical Marijuana Bill

Marijuana (Statehouse Bureau)

The medical marijuana bill being debated by Ohio lawmakers might need support from Democrats in the Senate. From our Statehouse Bureau Jo Ingles reports.

Though Republicans dominate in the Senate, Republican Senator Bill Seitz thinks some Democratic votes might be necessary to push the bill through.

“I don’t know whether there are the votes in the Senate to pass the House bill or anything close to the House bill. I think it will pass but I think it will be close.”

Senator Joe Schiavoni is the minority leader. He says his caucus is considering the legislation carefully.

“Most of our members are in favor of the idea but have different concerns for different reasons.”

Schiavoni says most of them realize it is a matter of time before Ohio gets a medical marijuana plan. There are two groups working on constitutional amendments that could be on the fall ballot.