Ohio doctors may now apply to recommend medical marijuana
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s medical board has begun accepting applications from doctors willing to recommend medical marijuana to patients once the state’s program is launched.
The State Medical Board of Ohio says eligible applicants must hold an active, unrestricted license as a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine.
Successful applicants must complete two hours of free continuing education on qualifying medical conditions, treating those conditions with medical marijuana and possible drug interactions.
The federal government prohibits doctors from prescribing medical marijuana. Ohio’s law instead allows people with one of 21 medical conditions that include cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy, to buy and use marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. The law doesn’t allow for smoking marijuana.
The law passed by the Legislature in 2016 requires medical marijuana to become available in September.
Feds: Man threatened to shoot congressman over cannabis policy
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Authorities say a Virginia man has threatened to shoot his local congressman.
Federal prosecutors said in a news release Friday that 69-year-old Wallace Grove Godwin made a threatening statement to staff at U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor’s Virginia Beach office Thursday.
Authorities said Godwin became frustrated during a discussion about marijuana policy.
Godwin allegedly mentioned the Republican congressman’s upcoming event Saturday and said he was “going to get my shotgun and do something about this.”
Authorities say Godwin has a concealed weapon permit and had previously engaged in aggressive interactions with Taylor and his staff.
Godwin faces a charge of threatening to murder and assault a United States official. It carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Andrew Grindrod, a public defender representing Godwin, declined to comment.
