Dayton Citizen demands ‘sanctuary’ for Medical Marijuana Patients

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on May 30, 2018.

In a move to allow patients who have been prescribed medical marijuana to possess the drug without fear of criminal charges, Latasha Rountree, a Dayton resident has asked the city to pass “sanctuary” policies.

Rountree’s demand came following the delay of setting-up of shops by the medical cannabis industry in Ohio.

While attending the city commission meeting this week, Latasha Rountree said the establishment of the state’s marijuana dispensaries in the state has been delayed in the state. This has led to the arrest of some of the patients who were found possessing a drug they need for medical purposes.

Rountree, who described herself as cannabis patient and an entrepreneur, also urged the city neither to arrest the patients who have been prescribed marijuana nor cite them for possession.

Rountree asked the city to define “affirmative defense” for law-abiding marijuana patients. Besides, she suggested that doctors can give Ohioans a statement of affirmative defense to prove they are following state law when they possess marijuana.

Meanwhile, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley thanked Rountree for bringing her concerns forward to the commission clarifying Dayton is one of the few cities in the region that has not banned medical marijuana businesses.

“We are paying very close attention because we want it to be regulated well and monitored but we also want people who are in pain to be able to receive the medical treatment they need,” the Mayor said.

Whaley assured to talk to the city’s law department regarding Rountree’s requests, however, refused to make any kind of commitment.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy, earlier this week, said it was postponing the expected announcement of medical marijuana dispensary license awards saying the information gathering was incomplete.

The medical marijuana was legalized for the cultivation, processing, testing, dispensing, and medical use after the House Bill 523 took effect September 8, 2016.

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