City holds off on medical pot legislation

North Ridgeville will hold off on passing legislation for the cultivation, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana.

On June 5, City Council decided to do more research after the legislation’s wording was brought to the attention of the panel.

Ward 2 Councilman Dennis J. Boose brought up how the word “prescribing” was in the legislation, which he said could cause unnecessary issues.

“Legislation says any activity relating to the cultivation, processing, dispensing, prescribing or distribution of medical marijuana,” Boose said. “I’m not sure why prescribing is there. I certainly don’t want to prohibit doctors from being able to prescribe a legal substance in the state of Ohio.”

It is a valid concern, but yet still an activity the state allows the city to prohibit, according to Law Director Andy Crites.

The legislation seeks to say that doctors can’t do the active prescribing within the city limits, Crites said.

Boose said he would vote against the ordinance if prescribing was in the legislation.

“My physician is in North Ridgeville, and if there was someone who needed this medication, that means he could not prescribe it for that person,” he said. “Now, he’s not dealing with the actual drug himself, he’s not dealing with the proceeds of the money from the sale or distribution of marijuana, so you don’t have that federal issue there of potential money laundering.

“But, my opinion is that it is difficult enough to have a resident, who is in need of the drug, have to go outside the municipality to get it or they would have to change a physician. I think it’s creating an issue that I rather not have to create, if I don’t need to.”

In order for a physician to be able to prescribe medical marijuana, they would have to go through an extensive process to obtain a certificate, Crites said.

Mayor G. David Gillock said he believes a local physician would recommend the patient to a specialist, who will then prescribe the medication.

President Pro-Tem/AtLarge Bernadine R. Butkowski said she believes it would be safe for prescribing to be taken out of the legislation, since Ohio has stern limitations on the law.

The city’s existing moratorium expires June 21.

Council will revisit legislation at its June 19 meeting.