Ohio House offers bill to legalize medical marijuana
COLUMBUS — An Ohio House committee launched hearings on legislation to legalize medical marijuana in the state.
Rep. Kirk Schuring, R-Canton, who is heading the Select Committee on Medical Marijuana, reiterated plans to move HB 523 quickly, with hopes of finalizing the law changes in the House and Senate before lawmakers’ summer break.
“We are going to have three hearings a week,” Schuring said today. “We hope to get something out of this select committee in the very near future, hopefully by the end of the month.”
The hearing included sponsor testimony from Rep. Stephen Huffman, R-Tipp City, an emergency-room physician who is carrying the legislation. Additional hearings are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
HB 523 calls for a nine-member Medical Marijuana Control Commission, appointed by the governor, to develop the rules for the cultivation, processing, retail sale and licensure of related businesses.
The process would have to be completed within two years.