Columbus — Looking to head off a more expansive ballot issue, state lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that legalizes medical marijuana for Ohioans suffering from more than a dozen conditions, including cancer and chronic pain, but maintains a ban on home grow and smoking pot.
The bill passed the Senate on a 18-15 vote, which brought applause from supporters in the Senate chambers. The House then voted 67-28 in favor of the Senate changes. The bill now heads to Gov. John Kasich for consideration.
Senators found a variety of reasons to support it: compassion, political strategy, states rights and more.
State Sen. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, said he likes the bill because it encourages the federal government to send power to the states. “Uncle Sam should not be controlling everything. And in this bill, we are calling on Uncle Sam to get out of the way and let the states be innovators.”
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