Ohioans who are legally prescribed marijuana to alleviate symptoms for serious illnesses could still be fired from their jobs under both major proposals to legalize marijuana’s use as a medicine.

Republicans in the Ohio House introduced their medical marijuana bill, House Bill 523, late Thursday. It’s an effort for legislators, not outside marijuana advocacy groups, to be in charge of what seems to be inevitable.

Medical marijuana will likely happen in Ohio, based on public polls showing support for it. The question now is about specifics.

The bill is different than the Marijuana Policy Project’s proposed constitutional amendment, but neither changes the relationship between private employer and employee.

House Bill 523 does not require employers to accommodate employees’ use of medical marijuana, and it doesn’t stop employers from refusing to hire or fire someone because of their use of medical marijuana. [Read more at Columbus Business First]