URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n547/a08.html
Newshawk: http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm
Votes: 0
Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2016
Source: Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Copyright: 2016 Morning Journal
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Website: http://www.morningjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3569
Author: Kaylee Remington
MEDICAL MARIJUANA OPTIONS ON THE TABLE
Sheffield Village Council will discuss Aug. 15 whether to prohibit the cultivation, processing and retail dispensing of marijuana for medical use in all its zoning districts during its regular meeting.
Mayor John Hunter said the Council also will have another option: a moratorium for up to six months.
Hunter said there is the moratorium for six months option because this will give the Village Council and the planning commission to review all Ohio statutes, criminal codes and the Village’s zoning code.
“I just want to make sure my citizens are protected,” he said. “Not everybody uses marijuana. Right now, marijuana is getting laced with heroin or cocaine.”
The law, which was signed by Gov. John Kasich in June, lets people use the drug in vapor form health conditions that are chronic, but bars patients from smoking marijuana or growing it at home.
Kasich’s signature makes Ohio the 25th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program, according to a count by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The law will go into effect Sept. 8, Hunter said.
A panel will put together the rules and regulations. That panel will consist of the Ohio Department of Commerce, state Medical Board and Board of Pharmacy, the Associated Press has previously reported.
Hunter said he does not support the growing of marijuana.
“I believe medical marijuana is a step for other drugs,” he said. “We want to get it in line now. You can always modify ( the ordinance ) when you pass it, but if you don’t have something soon, then you’re stuck.”
The medical marijuana program won’t be up and running by Sept. 8, according to the Associated Press. It’s expected to be fully operational in about two years.
The report also said employers could continue to enforce drug-testing policies and maintain drug-free workplaces.
Communities can move to ban dispensaries or limit the number of them.
The meeting on medical marijuana will be held at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 4340 Colorado Ave.
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom