Medical Marijuana Prohibited in Kent
Kent City Council convened Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Main Fire Station downtown to discuss a course of action regarding a new, yet unspecific Ohio policy: the use, sale and cultivating of medicinal marijuana.
The lack of regulations on dispensaries, licensing and marijuana growers by the state prompted the Kent City Council to propose a moratorium, or a temporary ban, on medicinal marijuana use within the city.
On Sept. 8, the Ohio Senate’s H.B. 523 went into effect, which legalized the use and ownership of medicinal marijuana for people with proper licensing.
One problem with the bill for the time being is there are no regulations on marijuana dispensaries themselves, leaving the Ohio “black market” or other legalized states as the only methods for obtaining the drug until these stores are set up, said Jackie Borchardt in her article for the Plain Dealer in June.
Sec. 3796.03. (A)(1) of H.B. 523 states Ohio’s “department of commerce shall adopt rules establishing standards and procedures for the medical marijuana control program.”
The bill also states these regulations could take up to 18 months to be decided on, meaning the council could be waiting a full year to lift its moratorium.
Melissa Long, Council at Large for Kent City Council, was unsure of the true meaning of the moratorium that was proposed. She believed that instead of creating a ban and waiting for the state to decide on rules, the council should use foresight and think of the approach the city will take ahead of time.
“We can’t just close our eyes on it, I think this is the wrong approach,” Long said. “We need to stay on top of it.”
“We don’t just close the door and say, ‘Until something on a state level happens … we can just sit here and wait on it until someone tells us what to do’,”Long added.
Ward 4 Council Member John M. Kuhar said the council’s approach in making no policy and instead placing a moratorium is the only action they can take as of right now.
“It would be like driving a car down a highway that doesn’t exist yet,” Kuhar said. “We have nothing to go by to make rules.”
Council at Large Roger B. Sidoti helped resolve the issue by saying Long’s concerns seem to be centered around the lack of knowing when the state will finally decide on rules.
He insisted that the council be persistent with the city administration to give them timely updates on what is going on so they can stay on top of the issue.
Sidoti said this decision to approve a moratorium was based on looking at other areas of Ohio and what they are planning on doing as they wait to hear from the state.
“We (had) some communities saying they were going to wait a year, some communities said they were going to wait six months and we even had some saying they were even going to wait as long as 18 months in terms of waiting before they do anything,” Sidoti said. “Our feeling was … let’s just have a moratorium, and when the state says, ‘here are our guidelines’, then we’ll be ready to hit the road.”
Ohioans for Medical Marijuana spokesperson Aaron Marshal doesn’t agree with cities placing a moratorium on the drug. He feels this places a bad light on the topic and doesn’t allow those who need the medication to receive it.
“From our point of view it’s really jumping the gun, it’s a rush to judgment,” Marshall said. “We just think everyone needs to relax and take a deep breath.”
“I think it’s unfair to patients who shouldn’t be stigmatized because they need this medicine. This system is going to be well-regulated by the state,” Marshall added.
Marshall said he believes several dozen communities throughout the state have passed a moratorium because they are worried from the negative perception that surrounds marijuana.
He thinks this is ultimately hurting the people who have actual medical conditions and need this drug.
“The people that are going to be using medical marijuana in Kent and the rest of Ohio are moms and dads, sisters and brothers, grandmas and grandpas who have severe illnesses and need this medicine,” Marshall said. “Why are we so concerned when it’s going to be people just like us who need this health care?”
#JMCRPP Moratorium placed on medical marijuana in Kent https://t.co/QEf36EQ146 pic.twitter.com/4SPc8fOPTa
— samantha (@samlough9) October 5, 2016
Is medical marijuana legal in Kent? Not right now, but it could be soon. Check out my story at https://t.co/WOZdpCTH3t #JMCRPP
— Kyle Samec (@LakeCougar2012) October 5, 2016
Medical marijuana is now prohibited in the city of Kent. Click the link to see my group’s event coverage. https://t.co/4Zki0woBdn #JMCRPP
— Lauren Stebelton (@LaurenStebelton) October 5, 2016
