Medical Marijuana Bills Introduced in Md. Legislature

Maryland lawmakers have introduced legislation seeking to legalize medical use of marijuana, the Baltimore Sun reported Jan. 27.

House and Senate versions of the bill would allow individuals with a “disabling medical condition” to used marijuana to alleviate their symptoms if they get approval from a doctor with whom they had a longstanding relationship.

The measure would allow marijuana dispensaries or pharmacies to distribute the drug, but would not permit patients to grow the drug themselves.

A 2003 Maryland law allows individuals to use a medical-necessity defense if they are found in possession of small quantities of the drug, but supporters of the new bills say the plan would allow medical users to get marijuana from a safe source rather than street dealers.