3 minute read
“CANNABIS AND THE LAW: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW”
Ohio cannabis is it Legal or is it not? Are you a compliant program patient or consumer or are you still participating in the illicit program? These are loaded questions for Ohio considering criminal laws applicable to cannabis violations have never been amended to reflect current program rules and laws that protect and guide regulators and licensees, but fall short with epic failures in protecting patients and consumers. Consider this, law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts in general have received little to no updates and training on the three new cannabis programs in Ohio and are therefore more likely to act on old illicit drug laws when pursuing charges and convictions. It’s simple, carry your medical credentials and a valid ID when out and about. Be compliant with the program's rules and laws such as possession limits, public consumption, gifting, sharing, impaired driving laws and more. In Ohio we have a stop and identify statute which means law enforcement with reasonable suspicion may request you to identify yourself upon a probable cause contact incident. Only provide the information they request to identify yourself. Do not present your medical ID or any cannabis products until requested to do so. Don’t snitch on yourself by defying rules and laws or by engaging in conversation with law enforcement during a preinvestigation questioning conversation about the incident. Lawyer up if you must. Conversation is not a requirement, but it may divulge evidence. Criminal justice reform language is left out during the creation of medical and adult choice cannabis programs. Rules and laws are implemented for the chosen regulatory agency to be and for the licensees to be. How ironic it is that state and local criminal laws applicable to patients and consumers for their participation and consumption protections are left out. Thus leading to years of legislative advocacy to implement new laws and rules of protection and to redact old criminal related laws in the books. Be wise, know your rights and implement them when needed. Remember this “legalization is not legalization until you are free from prosecution”.
While Ohio and many other states have entered into a new era of cannabis prohibition there is a movement to be inclusive in the issuance of program licenses. The title “social equity” may have been the industry's own demise in trying to include those impacted by the “War on Cannabis”, those economically deprived and those impacted in some ethnic neighborhoods. Many states have ruled social equity a violation of the constitution to support their failures with inclusivity. With the recent federal redaction of Diversity Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) practices, state programs now have a defense to not be inclusive. This type of legislative work only harms communities commerce growth, hinders potential business owners, inhibits employment, delays any educational awareness values, presents a pejorative community involvement impact, and promotes a continuance of criminal behaviors and actions. Ohio's current SB56 and HB160 are great examples of legislation catering to the wealthy by dismissing any inclusivity language or criminal justice reform language.
Stay informed and stay updated through involvement and participation in program events and legislative actions. Educational awareness is the key to knowledge.
Attend and support these Ohio events for updates on cannabis laws, rules and more; ochbs.com , ohiocannabis.com , stargazerfest. com , theohioclassic.com
Helpful resources; The Home Grower podcast, Oh-High-Yo magazine/podcast https:// www.sensiblemovement.org/ , https:// www.gainesmediacompany.com/ , https:// procannabismedia.com/ , https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/ cannabis-control
