Head of Ohio medical board recuses self from marijuana rule-making
COLUMBUS, Ohio The head of Ohios state medical board says he wont participate in establishing rules for certifying doctors under Ohios new medical marijuana law after taking on lobbying clients associated with the budding industry.
Records reviewed by The Associated Press show Mike Gonidakis recently acquired two out-of-state marijuana-related clients, Denver-based Marijuana Policy Group and Scottsdale, Arizona-based Pharm LLC, a medical marijuana grower.
Gonidakis, who also serves as president of the anti-abortion group Ohio Right to Life, confirmed his recusal in an interview with the AP. He said neither client has business before the medical board, but he wants to avoid even the appearance of a conflict.
The only thing that the medical boards doing is setting rules for doctors, and Ill be recusing myself on that, he said.
Ohios medical marijuana law takes effect Thursday.
Its the second time in a month Gonidakis has said hell step aside to avoid any appearance of a conflict on the 12-member board. He also said he wont vote on any abortion clinic-related complaints before the board.
In August, groups representing doctors, consumers and women sought Gonidakis removal as president, citing his alleged conflicts. The request has so far gone nowhere.
Under Ohios new medical pot law, the medical board will have one of its highest profile roles in recent memory.
The law empowers the panel to determine procedures for doctors to get certified to recommend cannabis to patients, to set conditions ...
