Ohio Lawyers Face Medical Cannabis Conundrums

Lawyers in Ohio have submitted at least two requests to the state Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Conduct to determine whether local attorneys can own or represent medical marijuana businesses, and whether they can use MMJ themselves.

Under Ohio’s new medical cannabis law, licensed professionals, which include attorneys, cannot be punished “solely for engaging in professional or occupational activities related to medical marijuana,” Cleveland.com reported.

But Ohio law says that only the state’s Supreme Court can discipline attorneys, raising the possibility that the new medical marijuana law shielding professionals from punishment for cannabis-related professional activities might not apply to attorneys.

At the same time, Ohio lawyers are not allowed to help clients break the law. And because cannabis remains federally illegal, lawyers with cannabis clients could be seen as violating that rule.

Members of the professional conduct board are expected to issue recommendations on the matter in August, Cleveland.com reported.