A key lawmaker says apparently unconstitutional portions of Ohio's medical marijuana law, which set aside a piece of the state's future pot business for minorities, were left in the bill during legislative debate to secure needed votes.
Republican state Sen. Bill Seitz says legally prickly provisions exposed by The Associated Press in June may require changes. The law takes effect Sept. 8.
Seitz had drafted an amendment fixing the sections. He says it never was introduced because support for the fast-tracked legislation was tenuous. It cleared the Senate by three votes.
Minority Democrats sought the provisions, which provide 15 percent of marijuana-related licenses to businesses of economically disadvantaged minority groups. It's generally unconstitutional for government to impose race preference rules.
Ohio is the 25th state to legalize medicinal cannabis. A key lawmaker says apparently unconstitutional portions of Ohio's medical marijuana law, which set aside a piece of the state's future pot business for minorities, were left in the bill during legislative debate to secure needed votes.
Republican state Sen. Bill Seitz says legally prickly provisions exposed by The Associated Press in June may require changes. The law takes effect Sept. 8.
Seitz had drafted an amendment fixing the sections. He says it never was introduced because support for the fast-tracked legislation was tenuous. It cleared the Senate by three votes.
Minority Democrats sought the provisions, which provide 15 percent of marijuana-related licenses to businesses of economically disadvantaged minority groups. It's generally unconstitutional for government to impose race preference rules.
Ohio is the 25th state to legalize medicinal cannabis.