Welcoming Ohio Representative Juanita O. Brent to marijuana law seminar class at Moritz College of Law

I am extraordinarily excited that my (always exciting) Marijuana Law and Policy seminar at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law is now entering its student presentation phase. This means in the coming weeks I will be blogging about the topics that students have researched and presenting here materials they have assembled providing background readings and information.

Adding to my excitement for the start of student presentations is the fact that the first student has arranged for a special visitor to come speak to our class next week.  Here are the details about the speaker at the focal point for the planned class discussion:

Cleveland Heights native Representative Juanita O. Brent from District 12 is set to speak with The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law’s marijuana law seminar class regarding her sponsored bill – House Bill 60 – and, more generally, marijuana law in the State of Ohio on March 3, 2022.   The class looks forward to asking Representative Brent questions about her legislative work relating to treating autism spectrum disorder with medical marijuana and hearing her  views on the future of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana in the State of Ohio.

On January 25, 2022, Representative Brent announced the committee passage of House Bill 60 – a bipartisan bill that would authorize medical marijuana for autism spectrum disorder.  House Bill 60 was introduced by the 134th General Assembly during the Regular 2021-2022 Session by Representative Brent and Bill Seitz, a Republican Representative from District 30.  The goal of the bill is “[t]o amend section 3796.01 of the Revised Code to authorize the use of medical marijuana for autism spectrum disorder.”  “Autism spectrum disorder” is to be included under Subsection (6)’s “Qualifying medical condition[s],” permissible under Section 3796.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. Today, Section 3796.01 of the Ohio Revised Code continues to read without including autism as a qualified medical condition for medical marijuana use until its official vote on the House floor.

Representative Brent is in her second term as a legislator.  In the 133rd General Assembly, Representative Bill helped author House Bill 285, which established a driver’s license reinstatement fee.  This bill became law in 2020 and has helped thousands of Ohioans remove suspended driver’s licenses because of Representative Brent’s efforts. Representative Brent is the Frist Vice-President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.  In her position as a legislator, she also serves as a Ranking Member of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee, as well as sits on the Transportation and Public Safety and Commerce and Labor Committees.  Representative Brent prides herself on representing District 12 and prioritizing justice and equity in her work, including adult-use cannabis.

Background resources:

"Rep. Brent applauds committee passage of her bill to legalize medical marijuana for autism spectrum disorder"

Text of Ohio H.B. No. 60, 134th General Assembly, Reg. Sess. 2021-22 

Webpage for House Bill 60 to "Authorize medical marijuana for autism spectrum disorder"

Juanita O. Brent Biography  and Juanita Brent background