Tonya Davis

Ohio Update!
Hello everyone, Happy 2008

My name is Tonya Davis

It has been awhile since Ive posted any thing but We have been busy getting the medical cannabis bill lanuage together. Now it is in the hands of the Ohio Senator who is going to sponsor and Introduce this Bill that would give the sick and dieing a little dignity.

Who is we ya ask? Well its Ohio Patients, North Ohio NORML and of course myself who got together from allover the state via phone, email and in person to create a medical cannabis bill we could be proud of.

Below is the
Summary of the Ohio Medical Compassion Act
The Ohio Medical Compassion Act If made into law would allow the very sick (who are under a doctors care) to use marihuana as a medicine. This would save the tax payers alot of money by Not arresting prosecuting and NOT sending sick folks to prison for using marihuana as a medicine.

This would protect your doctor and allow he/ she to discuss ALL options for treatment including the safe use of medical cannabis without the fear of harassment.




Summary of the Ohio Medical Compassion Act

Defines the legitimate medical use of cannabis (aka marihuana)

• Only a patient with a medical condition or illness that is sufficiently serious or debilitating, and who has the approval of his

or her medical practitioner, will be able to use cannabis under the Ohio Medical Compassion Act (OMCA).

Protects patients from arrest and allows law enforcement to easily identify legitimate patients

• The OMCA creates a system requiring patients to register with the state, which allows the state to ensure that only patients

with debilitating medical conditions who have their doctors' recommendations receive legal protections.

• Registered patients are issued ID cards from the state, which provides the patient with an easy way to prove to law

enforcement officials that they are complying with the law via a confidential, blind system allows law enforcement to verify

that the card is valid.

Protects primary caregivers of patients from arrest and prison

• Many patients are too ill to provide for their own medical use of cannabis (marihuana), so they need a caregiver to provide it

for them. These caregivers are also protected from arrest and prison. Caregivers can also receive reimbursement for the costs

associated with providing patients with their medicine.

Provides patients a legal means of obtaining and using cannabis (marihuana)

• Permits patients to cultivate their own cannabis.

• Permits patients to possess paraphernalia for consuming.

• Permits primary caregivers to cultivate cannabis on behalf of patients.

• Permits patients or primary caregivers to purchase cannabis from the criminal market.

Allows patients and primary caregivers who are arrested to discuss the cannabis medical use in court

• The affirmative defense provisions serves as a safety net in case the patient is not registered, or is in process of registration or

administration does not implement the registry ID system.

• Affirmative defense is only applicable if a medical practitioner says the potential benefits of using cannabis would likely

outweigh the health risks and the patient and caregiver do not possess more cannabis than is reasonably necessary.

Establishes sensible restrictions on medical cannabis use

• Limits the amount of cannabis patients and caregivers can possess to 200 grams and 12 mature plants.

• Prohibits motorized vehicle operation if impaired.

• Prohibits smoking of cannabis in public places.

• Does not require employers to accommodate the medical use of cannabis in the workplace.

Establishes government control mechanism

• Includes oversight board in the Ohio Department of Health concerning possession limits and conditions.

• Encourages Ohio Department of Agriculture to establish safe growing practices.

Creates protections beyond arrest and prison for patients, caregivers, and physicians

• Patients cannot be denied custody or visitation of a minor for acting in accordance with this act.

• The OMCA exempts patients, primary caregivers, and physicians from state penalties and disciplinary action by a business or

occupational or professional licensing board.

• The OMCA protects patients' right to live, work, and earn a living by providing that no school, employer, or landlord may

refuse to enroll or employ or lease to, or otherwise penalize a person solely for his or her status as a registered qualifying

patient or a registered primary caregiver.

Does not require physicians to violate federal law in order for patients to legally use medical cannabis

• Federal law prohibits doctors from prescribing marijuana, but doctors are permitted under federal law to evaluate the relative

risks and benefits of the medical use of cannabis and recommend that a patient use it.

Swabeky

From the summary it sounds pretty solid. I like how you must have a serious and debilitating disease to use it. let's just hope it doesn't get abuse eh?

Buzzby

This sounds great, except that I think there could be a problem with this:As long as insurance companies base premiums on passing drug tests and federal contracts insist on a "drug-free environment", employers are pushed into a corner. Employing someone who can't pass a UA could cost them a lot of money.

__________________