A rule amendment proposed by the Ohio Supreme Court would let attorneys counsel clients seeking to comply with the state's medical marijuana law. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
The court's suggested amendment to the Rules of Professional Conduct says a lawyer can assist a client regarding conduct that it permitted under the new state law - but the lawyer has to advise the client of related federal law, which says marijuana is illegal. The need to clarify the services attorneys can offer clients arose in early August after a non-binding advisory opinion issued by the independent Board of Professional Conduct noted the state has a new law that takes effect September 8. But it also stated that the federal ban on pot might create ethical problems for lawyers counseling or assisting a client with regard to the new state law. The amendment is open for public comment period until September 18th.