According to a new bill at the Ohio Statehouse, the state’s medical marijuana program could expand its list of conditions for the plant.
Conditions including arthritis, autism, and opioid use disorder.
Republican Senator Stephen Huffman recently introduced Senate Bill 261, which allows doctors to use their discretion when prescribing cannabis and includes several conditions that were previously left out.
“It emphasizes the patient-physician relationship and uses the physician knowledge, his training, and his background to make the decision,” Huffman explained.
The Prevention Action Alliance said it is concerned considering the state’s struggle with opioids.
“So many people thought that utilizing prescription drugs was safe because it was a prescribed substance and I’m afraid we are moving in that direction when it comes to medical marijuana,” said Fran Gerbig, executive director of Prevention Action Alliance.
“The opioid epidemic has killed tens of thousands of Americans, so someone saying that we should not be expanding access to medical cannabis as though it’s an equally dangerous option as opioids is ridiculous,” said Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project assured.
“I wish them well, but I’m concentrating on medical marijuana and trying to make that industry better for the patient and business,” Huffman said of adult-use marijuana being a topic at the Ohio Statehouse.
The bill will have its first hearing on Wednesday, where those on both sides of the issue will testify.
