Ohio Becomes 25th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana

Ohio has officially legalized medical marijuana, making it the 25th state to do so. The bill, signed on June 8th by Ohio Governor John Kasich, authorizes doctors to prescribe marijuana derivatives for certain medical conditions.

The law will take effect in 90 days and will establish a seed-to-sale system for growing, testing and dispensing marijuana for about 20 qualifying medical conditions, including chronic pain.

The law also requires that medical marijuana be available to patients within two years, reports The Columbia Dispatch. It is predicted that licensed growers could be cultivating marijuana in Ohio within one year, and medical marijuana products would be tested and then sold by dispensaries in about 16 months.

The Ohio Pharmacy Board, Ohio Medical Board, and Department of Commerce will all play a part in overseeing Ohio’s medical marijuana program. They will be required to write the rules and get approval by a legislative panel.

“This is a joyous day for the thousands of Ohioans who will finally be able to safely access much-needed medicine,” said a spokesperson for Ohioans for Medical Marijuana.