Medical Marijuana Bill Goes to Governor

The bill that would legalize the use of marijuana for specific medical conditions, HB 523, narrowly passed the Senate this week.  The vote was 18 in favor, 15 opposed.

The Senate resisted calls to delete workplace protections for which the OMA advocated.  Some senators wanted to prevent employers from terminating employees for positive drug tests, if the employees are authorized to use medical marijuana.

The bill goes to the governor for signature.  He has previously indicated that he would be supportive of a medical marijuana bill that was developed with physician input, which this bill was.