This petition is for Ohio only, as it pertains to Ohio and is intended to address the Ohio State Government only. The Ohio Medical Compassion Act (OMCA) was introduced last year, near the end of the 127th Assembly (2007-2008). It is currently being considered for re-introduction in this 128th Assembly (2009-2010) by several Ohio Senators and Representatives. If the OMCA were introduced again and passed into law, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is at least 18 years of age may lawfully possess a usable amount of cannabis for medical use if, at the time of that possession, the person has available a valid registry card issued from the Board of Health, or an authenticated copy of a medical record or other written documentation from a physician, which may be used as an affirmative defense as well.

This Act would secure freedom from prosecution and persecution for both doctor and patient, as well as for care-givers, who would be legally registered to recommend, use, and cultivate marijuana, respectively. This is a very tightly written piece of legislation that was presented by the Ohio Patients Network, the North Ohio chapter of NORML, and the Medical Marijuana Action Network. The only argument against the bill would be the validity of medicinal use of marijuana. There have been numerous studies that show the efficacy of marijuana as a useful medication for a wide range of illnesses and symptoms. There may still be more yet to learn, and more research will only be possible once patients and doctors are able to participate in such studies without breaking the law.

I urge all Ohioans to join us in this cause, as it is inconceivable why a doctor is still unable to recommend marijuana as treatment, yet they are competent enough to perform surgeries and prescribe a list of other medications that have known serious side effects. Many organizations and citizens in Ohio support this bill; even the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio (ADAPAO) supports the idea that more research is needed pertaining to the medical benefits of cannabis. Several members of our state legislature are not opposed to the legislation as well. We need to let them know that we are not alone, we are not going to give up, and that it is not political suicide when a Senator or Representative sponsors a bill that the majority of his / her constituents are in favor of. All we are asking for is compassion for those who need this medicine. Your caring support for the Ohio Medical Compassion Act would mean a great deal to many Ohio patients who are currently suffering without their medicine due to the current legal status of cannabis.

Sample letter:
We have witnessed 14 other states pass legislation to allow for the medicinal use of marijuana, although, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) insists that there is no medicinal value in smoked marijuana. Many studies have been performed that suggest that there are several medical benefits from the plant, especially for those with serious debilitating conditions. Several studies were referenced in the report to congress by the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse in 1972, also known as the Shafer Commission, info here: Marihuana, A Signal of Misunderstanding - Table of Contents. The report was named after Commission Director Raymond P. Shafer, former Governor of Pennsylvania.

Many studies from the past hundred years in support of a more compassionate, humane approach to the current cannabis situation may be found here as well, including the ruling of the DEA's own Chief Administrative Law Judge Francis Young in 1988, which was rendered after two years of testimony from both sides of the issue: Major Studies of Drugs and Drug Policy - Titles and Summaries. I believe that in order to prove or disprove these medical claims, we must re-introduce and pass the Ohio Medical Compassion Act (OMCA), which was Senate Bill 343 in the last assembly, located here: Laws, Acts, and Legislation. Even the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio, ADAPAO, supports the idea that more research is needed pertaining to the medical benefits of cannabis. I believe it is necessary to perform more accurate studies without fear of prosecution. It would be managed by the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, and all patient information would be linked in with local law enforcement so they would know who is a valid registered patient.
I believe that those who are suffering should be allowed to use marijuana as a pain reliever instead of some of the deadly narcotics that are currently prescribed. I feel that it is about compassion and letting the patient and doctor decide what treatment works best. This bill does not contain any reference to dispensaries or medical marijuana storefronts of any kind, it would just allow for the compassionate use and cultivation of cannabis in amounts only to supply a patient with enough to support their medical necessity.
Tonya Davis (AAMC: Tonya Davis), Ohio Patients Network (http://ohiopatientsnetwork.org), the North Ohio chapter of NORML (North Ohio NORML | Marijuana News and Laws | Ohio Marijuana Laws), and the Medical Marijuana Action Network (Home) worked tirelessly during the 127th assembly to get the OMCA introduced.

It was sponsored by Senator Tom Roberts and cosponsored by Senator Dale Miller. Now that Roberts has taken a position in the Governor's Cabinet, and we are now in the 128th assembly, we need a new sponsor and cosponsor(s), either in the Senate or in the House of Representatives.

Please consider sponsoring and / or cosponsoring the OMCA, and voting yes on this bill should you be in a position to do so after it is introduced. Many patients who need this medication have either been suffering without it, or have been unable to use it without worry of breaking the law in order to do so. Please show these patients compassion and give them their freedom to use a medication that they and their doctor know works for them.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration, and have a great day!

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What I freely have been given let me freely share