Once again a medical marihuana bill has been introduced into the Ohio Legislature. This time the bill was introduced by Representative Yuko, and has several co-sponsors Hagan, Foley, Okey, Sykes and Stewart. Ohio Patients encourage you to visit the above representative's webpage and call or email them to thank them for their efforts.
House Bill 478 is very similar to last years Senate Bill 343 but has been improved with help from the Drug Policy Alliance. The bill covers similar conditions that other state's medical marijuana bills do such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. The Ohio bill includes an often overlooked condition of Sickle Cell Anemia which can induce a very painful condition which is treated with large doses of opiod based drugs. According to Dr. Rucknagel, the former director of University Cincinnati's Sickle Cell research center, medical marijuana use is typical of Sickle Cell patients. Note the use of marijuana is known to reduce the amount of heavy duty opiod narcotic medications needed to treat painful conditions.
Every state and national poll on record shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans back legalizing medical marijuana. Yet some politicians still believe that they would suffer a public backlash. That is nonsense! Ohio citizens support medical marijuana at a record 73% according to the most respected polling organization in the state. Republicans who are perceived to not support medical marijuana do so at 65 percent and even those Ohioans that identify themselves as conservatives support medical marijuana at 58 percent.
Further proof of this was evidenced at a recent candidate's forum where all the candidates expressed support for medical marijuana. Conservative groups such as Americans for Prosperity, Citizens for Community Values Action, COAST (Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending & Taxes), Family First PAC, Ohio Liberty Council, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati Warren County Right to Life, and the Cincinnati Tea Party organized a Southwest Ohio Candidates' Forum where former prosecutor, Cincinnatti Councilman, Hamilton County Commisioner and now Fox TV commentator asked the state representative candidates a marijuana question. Use this link if you want to listen to their answers.
So now is the time to make medical marijuana a reality here in Ohio. HB478 has been referred to the Health Committee. Below is a map of where these representatives come from and their contact information. If you live nearby a visit to their local office is highly encouraged. Please let OPN (via info@ohiopatientsnetwork ) know how they responded to your email or call. Also our friends at NORML have generated a tool to identify and send your representative a letter. Note having the last 4 digits of your zip code helps to quickly find your rep.
Please Take Action NOW
Barbara Boyd ( D )
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(614) 644-5079
John Patrick Carney ( D )
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(614) 466-2473
Edna Brown ( D )
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(614) 466-1401
* Robert F. Hagan ( D )
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(614) 466-9435
Tom Letson ( D )
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(614) 466-5358
Debra Newcomb ( D )
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(614) 466-1405
Debbie Phillips ( D )
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(614) 466-2158
Stephen Slesnick ( D )
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(614) 466-8030
Roland Winburn ( D )
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(614) 466-2960
* Kenny Yuko ( D )
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(614) 466-8012
Lynn R. Wachtmann ( R )
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(614) 466-3760
Troy Balderson ( R )
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(614) 644-6014
Dave Burke ( R )
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(614) 466-8147
Courtney Eric Combs ( R )
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(614) 644-6721
Randy Gardner ( R )
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(614) 466-8104
Bruce W. Goodwin ( R )
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(614) 644-5091
Matt Huffman ( R )
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(614) 466-9624
Robert Mecklenborg ( R )
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(614) 466-8258
W. Scott Oelslager ( R )
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(614) 752-2438
The * denote the bill sponsors so when you contact them please say thank you.
