The Ohio House passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday that would allow patients with an autism spectrum disorder to legally obtain medical marijuana. House Bill 60 passed 73 by 13. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Juanita Brent, a Cleveland Democrat, and Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican. Brent said people in her district, and Ohioans from other parts of the state, have asked for autism spectrum disorder to be added to the list of qualifying conditions. Seventeen states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, allow medical marijuana for patients with autism. HB 60 advances through the legislature amid a flurry of other bills and efforts to expand marijuana in Ohio. Currently, there are 25 conditions for which people can obtain medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. The State Medical Board of Ohio and the legislature can add new conditions. At the State Medical Board of Ohio, a review of potential new conditions occurs every year. It has rejected autism spectrum disorder for several years after objections from doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, who ran clinical trials for a cannabis-based medication for seizures made by a pharmaceutical company.
Laura, Cleveland OH Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather – cleveland.com, 03/02/2022 15:25:00