Ohio Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice to Hear Sponsor Testimony on SB 74 (Columbus, OH) -- The Ohio Patient Network is pleased to learn that, on Wednesday, November 15, the Ohio Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice will hear sponsor testimony from Senator Robert Hagan (D-33) concerning SB 74, Ohio's medical marijuana act. This legislation to protect Ohio's cannabis patients from prosecution was introduced by Senator Hagan in February of 2005.

Among other provisions, SB 74:

¨ Modifies various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to regulate the medical use of marijuana under the direction of a patient's physician;

¨ Establishes a patient registry with the Ohio Department of Health and mandates that a patient application and identification process be instituted to identify authorized patients to law enforcement personnel;

¨ Requires the issuance of identification cards by the Department of Health to patients and caregivers;

¨ Properly identifies and limits the amounts, and standardizes the weighing process of marihuana permitted under the law;

¨ Establishes a method of scientific evaluation and public comment for the purpose of evaluating the conditions for which medical use shall be authorized;

¨ Protects the public health and welfare by prohibiting the use of medical marihuana in schools, civic centers, public recreation centers, youth centers, places of employment, on public transportation, or in a private vehicle; and

¨ Does not require public or private insurance companies to incur any cost of the use of medical marihuana.

"Sponsor testimony represents only the first step," said OPAN Executive Director, Brandy Zink. "We have waited ten years for this important moment, but consideration of SB 74 won't be complete until the committee hears from patients. Seriously ill Ohioans should not be subjected to criminal penalties for using cannabis medicinally if recommended by a physician." It should be noted that the last time the Ohio Senate considered medical marijuana legislation and heard patient testimony was at the beginning of 1997 when it repealed an affirmative defense provision for medicinal marijuana use.

What: Sponsor testimony hearing for SB 74, Ohio's medical marijuana act
Who: Senator Robert Hagan (D-33)
When: Wednesday, November 15
Time: 9:00 am
Where: Ohio Senate Building, North Hearing Room

Contact: Mary Jane Borden
Ohio Patient Network
1-888-647-2843
mjborden@ohiopatient.net

The Ohio Patient Network (OPN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of patients, caregivers, medical professionals, concerned citizens, and organizations who support the compassionate use of cannabis for various medicinal purposes. Information about OPN can be found at http://www.ohiopatient.net. The Ohio Patient Action Network (OPAN) was formed to lobby for medicinal cannabis legislation. Its Website is http://ohiopatientaction.org.

Date: November 10, 2006