Medical cannabis advocates want to give potential patients an opportunity to learn about the benefits of the newly-legalized drug. The Holistic Health and Cannabis expo brought together 30 vendors from the industry in Lima on Friday Apr. 19 and Saturday Apr. 20. 

Advocates say that questions still remain about how to get medical cannabis, what it can be used for and what the recommended dosing is for patients. Organizer of the expo Dr. Joshua Hayes says that information is available at the expo, as well as presentations, CBD products for purchase and a CBD-infused lunch. 

"A lot of people have this impression that cannabis just makes you high or makes you feel tired or lazy," says Dr. Joshua Hayes, D.O. "But, in fact, it has a lot of beneficial effects for your brain, we have special receptors in our immune system."

Patients rights advocates were also on hand to explain some of the challenges patients still face with medical cannabis. Glenn and Peggy Keeling are medical marijuana patients currently facing more than 30 charges for using medical marijuana while they had a valid registration, but before dispensaries in Ohio were open.

"When they took my medicine, I developed new brain and spine lesions that put me into this wheelchair," says Peggy Keeling who lives with multiple sclerosis. "And, I've had 3 surgeries in the past 18 months. Even with the marijuana now, I have new damage done from when they had taken it first, that it will be a process to get back to that point."

The event runs through 6pm on Apr. 20 at the Lima Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased at the door beginning at $5.