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State discipline question hinges on marijuana status in federal law

Although Ohio is the 25th state to legalize medical marijuana, confusion has arisen in the state over whether some professionals can still be disciplined for working with marijuana businesses or patients, according to a June 21 article on Cleveland.com.

Ohio’s recent medical marijuana law exempts professionals from being disciplined if they choose to work with marijuana businesses or patients. But Ohio attorneys have asked the state Supreme Court to clarify whether they can represent marijuana processors, cultivators, patients, dispensaries, and caregivers. They also have the asked the Court if they are allowed to use medical marijuana or operate medical marijuana businesses.

The confusion stems from the fact that while marijuana is legal in the state of Ohio, the drug remains a federally illegal drug.

State ethics rules prohibit an attorney from knowingly counseling clients to break the law, but the rules do not distinguish between federal and state law.

Read more here.