Clermont County Ohio municipal court and judges deny access to medical marijuana for patients. 
Hello, my name is Aimee. I have diagnosed complex PTSD, which under Ohio revised code is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.

As some of you may know a lot of of the doctors that you see to get a medical marijuana card, will do a quick two minute phone call and approve you as long as you have a qualifying condition.

I found a doctor in my community who has an established office. I had an in person, detailed consultation with him, where we discussed all the pros and cons of me using medical marijuana. He decided it was in my best interest to use medical marijuana, he prescribed me the card, and also wrote a letter to my judges, endorsing his prescription.

I am on prescribed benzodiazepines and have been for over a year. I was hoping to get off the benzodiazepines and instead use medical marijuana; as there are far less risks associated with it.

I submitted motions to my judges, along with this letter, as well as one from my psychiatrist, stating that she has no discrepancies with me using medical marijuana. In fact, my psychiatrist would also much prefer me use the medical marijuana instead of having to prescribe me benzodiazepines, long-term. 

My motions were denied with no reason given.

I have contacted several attorneys in the area to see if we could overturn these motions and file new ones. The majority of these attorneys informed me that during their time here in Clermont County, working with the municipal judges and court, they have rarely seen any judge allow the use of medical marijuana, even though per Ohio revised code, Medical marijuana has been legal in Ohio for years now. One attorney stated “I’m not trying to run off your business, but I’m just going to be honest with you. I have never seen a judge from the municipal court here allow the use of medical marijuana unless someone has something like terminal cancer.”

That tells me that this is a problem in our community.

Medical marijuana is very much a medicine. Although it is also recreationally legal, for many people it is genuinely needed for them to be properly medicated.

I am one of those people.

I’m asking you to sign this petition, so that the Clermont County municipal judges may reconsider.  This problem is bigger than just me. Knowing that other people in my community also do not have access to the medication that they need, no matter if they obtain a prescription and an endorsing letter, greatly upsets me. 
 


Our community should have access to legal prescription medical marijuana, if they meet the criteria for qualifying conditions. Judges are not doctors. They do not know our medical history; yet it is in their hands, whether or not we have access to medication that helps us. 
 


Please consider signing this petition if you live in or around Clermont County, OH; or if it also just upsets you knowing that a judge is making decisions that only a doctor should be able to.

For me, personally, it is part of my probation conditions that I take all my prescription medications as prescribed, which means that I have to take my benzodiazepines per the conditions of my probation. 
 


Thinking about what I and others have went through while not having access to our medication deeply upsets me. If it upsets you as well please sign this petition.  


If I get enough signatures, I will submit it to the court in hopes that they will reassess their policies. Petitions can be very powerful, so do not underestimate the impact of one signature. 

Every signature counts.

I have a background in paralegal studies, although I did not complete my schooling, due to being a paralegal affecting your civil rights and freedom of speech. I will do what needs to be done to make a change in this community.

Thank you for your time.