A bill to regulate medical marijuana through the Ohio Board of Pharmacy is being scrapped over concerns the setup would create an undue burden on the state. Senators backing the measure say changes were needed to reach a compromise. The new plan requires pharmacists at dispensaries, but leaves doctors under the medical board and places cultivation and processing under the state Commerce Department. Most states establish control commissions that distance federally-licensed doctors and pharmacies from distribution. More from Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles.
A Senate committee has expanded the conditions for which patients can benefit from medical marijuana by adding chronic pain to the list for which doctors can recommend cannabis. There are some regulatory changes too. The regulation of cultivators, processors and testing labs will fall under the state’s commerce department. There’s now a means for veterans and low income people to get assistance to pay for medical marijuana. And the state medical board will certify doctors who recommend medical cannabis and the state pharmacy board will license dispensaries and oversee rules for packaging products and registering patients.
