A second proposed medical marijuana constitutional amendment was approved this morning by the Ohio Ballot Board.
Backers of the Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2012 can now begin collecting the 385,245 signatures of registered voters necessary to qualify the issue for the Nov. 6 general election ballot.
The Ballot Board agreed the proposed amendment, which would legalize the purchase, possession, growth and use of marijuana for patients with qualifying medical conditions, can appear as a single issue at the fall election.
In October, the Ballot Board approved a similar medical-marijuana ballot issue, the Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment.
Differences are emerging between the two proposed issues and those who support them.
The Medical Cannabis Amendment approved today is backed primarily by a group of patients seeking pain relief for medical conditions. The Alternative Treatment Amendment, which also includes patients among its supporters, is backed by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have some form of medical-marijuana law.
Information about the Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2012 is available at www.omca2012.org. Information about the Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment is atwww.ohiommjballot.org/hometop.html.
