Our Mission
Ohio Patients Network's mission is legalize cannabis (AKA Marijuana) for medical use. OPN is the oldest coalition of patients, caregivers, activists and medical professionals in Ohio who support the compassionate use of cannabis for various medicinal purposes. We provide information between patients, medical professionals, attorneys, and educate the public with the latest developments in the therapeutic use of cannabis.
A Vision of the Future
OPN vision of the future is one where marijuana is re-integrated into medical applications for a variety of conditions.
OPN's Position on the future of Marijuana
OPN’s position on marijuana is that with the full legalization of marijuana, all the therapeutic benefits will be uncovered, studied, documented, and be available to Ohio patients in need. We support the following
- Patients enabled to grow limited amounts for self-use
- A regulated commercial medical supply, including quality standards, labels and safety testing
- State Commission with regulatory over-sight
- Remove marijuana from schedule one, a forbidden drug, at the Federal level.
OPN History
A statewide organization of patients had been a long-term dream of many medicinal cannabis activists in Ohio. The Ohio Patient Network began to officially solidify after the Ohio Medical Marijuana Educational Conference was held at Ohio State University in January 2001. This conference was supported by the Drug Policy Foundation.
Shortly after that conference, a group of patients, caregivers, and activists from all over Ohio got together on the Internet to discuss strategies to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio. From this meeting, the Ohio Patient Network (OPN) was officially born. We incorporated and applied for non profit status. We were awarded 501-C3 non profit status by the IRS, with donations being tax deductible.
We have been involved in almost every legislative and ballot effort to date, to bring an end to the prohibition of medical marijuana here in Ohio.
OPN Staff
Ohio Patient Network is composed of Doctors and Lawyers and an Executive Director.
