Today has been on the calendars of many Ohio advocates, it’s a largely symbolic date that most consider the starting line in what could be a complicated path to a working medical marijuana program.
The Next 30 days:
October 8th, 2016 – With their already approved & funded $1.8 million dollar budget, the Governor and legislative leaders from both parties must appoint 14 members to a new Ohio Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee within the next 30 days. Speaker Cliff Rosenberger issued a call for people interested in representing mental health professionals or patients to send a resume to his office at Rep91@ohiohouse.gov.
Before any other rules or regulations or amendments to the law can happen, this MMAC must be created.
The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee is coordinated by the Board of Pharmacy. The committee may develop and submit to the Department of Commerce, State Board of Pharmacy, and the State Medical Board any recommendations related to the Medical Marijuana Control Program and the implementation and enforcement of the related Ohio Revised Code.
Who consists of this new Ohio Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee?
- Two members who are practicing pharmacists, at least one of whom supports the use of marijuana for medical purposes and at least one of whom is a member of the Board of Pharmacy;
- Two members who are practicing physicians, at least one of whom supports the use of marijuana for medical purposes and at least one of whom is a member of the State Medical Board;
- A member who represents local law enforcement;
- A member who represents employers;
- A member who represents labor;
- A member who represents persons involved in mental health treatment;
- A member who is a nurse;
- A member who represents caregivers;
- A member who represents patients;
- A member who represents agriculture;
- A member who represents persons involved in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction; and,
- A member who engages in academic research.
The Governor appoints the physician and pharmacist members along with the members who represent employers, agriculture, academic research and persons involved in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. The Senate President appoints the member representing local law enforcement and the member representing caregivers, while the Senate Minority Leader appoints the member who is a nurse. The Speaker of the House of Representatives appoints the member representing patients and the member who represents persons involved in mental health treatment. The House Minority Leader appoints the member representing labor.