Lawmakers underestimated complexity of framework

State lawmakers underestimated the complexity of setting the framework for Ohio’s first major step into legalizing marijuana.

House Bill 523 was signed into law by Gov. John Kasich two years ago this month, but it gave officials two years to fully implement the new industry.

Apparently, they needed longer.

Medical marijuana is required by the law to be available to patients beginning Sept. 8, but the state will apparently not meet the deadline.

One big reason is because many of the pot plants that will be processed into the products that patients will be able to purchase are not ready for harvest.

The late rollout of medical pot is unfortunate on various levels, but primarily to those who are counting on it to alleviate pain, inflammation or nausea. But it is still better for the state to get it right than to create problems that would undermine the law . ...

Many communities in Ohio took a wary approach after lawmakers approved the marijuana law in 2016.

Yes, Ohio’s painstaking move to a controlled and monitored medical form of marijuana will have a learning curve. Still, unreasonable delays and burdens must not be placed on those who are now eligible to use marijuana for health purposes under state law.

Read the full editorial from the Courier at bit.ly/2oDqkCS