Kasich signs law permitting medical marijuana use

COLUMBUS — Gov. John Kasich quietly signed legislation today allowing patients with specified conditions to use medical marijuana under a doctor’s guidance, adding Ohio to the ranks of more than two dozen other states that allow the drug for medicinal purposes.

The Republican governor added his signature behind closed doors, without comment, on the same day lawmakers sent him HB 523 and two weeks after the Ohio House and Senate gave their final approvals.

The legislation, which takes full effect within two years, places ultimate medical marijuana oversight upon several state agencies.