Youngstown Democratic State Representative Bob Hagan has-long supported a medical marijuana bill for Ohio, and he's co-sponsoring a bill with Richmond Heights Representative Kenny Yuko that could make Ohio the 15th state to sanction marijuana use for medicinal purposes.
Previous attempts at bills to legalize the drug in 2005, 2008, and 2009 died in the state legislature. This latest proposal would allow doctor-certified users to grow marijuana plants for personal relief only, but those plants would have to be kept in a locked room, a greenhouse, or another hidden, enclosed area.
This effort follows recent studies by the Pew Research Center, and the University of Cincinnati.
Both indicated that 73 percent of Ohio adults now favor the medical use of marijuana.
But Patricia Harmon, who heads Ohio's Drug Free Action Alliance, is concerned medicinal use should be governed by people with medical knowledge ...
PATRICIA HARMON:
"We do not feel that it is an issue that should be decided by a state legislature. We do not feel that it should be decided by voters. We think it is a medical issue and it should be treated like any other potential medication."
Drug Free Action Alliance wants the Food and Drug Administration to examine marijuana and decide on any benefits, but the Federal government has already said this is an individual states matter.
Representative Hagan now says his bill will likely die, because, in his words... his colleagues in the Legislature ....aren't brave enough to pass it.
