Maryland Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

(ANNAPOLIS, Md.) - With no discussion or objections, the Maryland Senate voted 35-12 to pass SB 627, a bill that would allow qualified patients to be recommended medical marijuana by their doctor and receive safe access to their medicine through state-licensed distribution centers. The bill now moves to the House. The General Assembly’s session ends Monday night.

“I’m very proud of my Senate colleagues today for voting to provide some of our most vulnerable residents with the compassion and care that they deserve,” said Sen. David Brinkley (R-Frederick), the bill’s sponsor and a two-time cancer survivor. “Anyone who has watched a loved one suffer from a debilitating illness would agree that we should not stand between doctors and patients, or deprive seriously ill people safe access to a legitimate medicine if it can help them cope with their illness.”

“We think this bill offers the most carefully crafted medical marijuana law in the country,” said Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Silver Spring), one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “It offers legal protection and safe medical access to patients who are desperately in need and takes every possible measure to prevent abuse. I’m hopeful that our colleagues in the House will give this proposal serious consideration, and make Maryland’s medical marijuana law a national model for how to promote medical privacy, social compassion, and security in administration.”

Fourteen other states, including New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Maine, have effective medical marijuana laws. This year, more than a dozen other states, including New York, Illinois, Delaware, South Dakota, Arizona, and Kansas, are considering medical marijuana laws. The District Council of Washington, D.C. is working on a medical marijuana law expected to be implemented by the end of this year.

Under current Maryland law, medical marijuana patients are provided with a limited affirmative defense in court, no protection from arrest, and no safe means of access to their medicine. Patients can still be given a $100 fine that results in a criminal conviction.

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Anonymous September 23, 2010 7:31 pm (Pacific time)

All I know is that I had major back surgery about 9 months back. All kinds of meds from Vicodin, Soma, Morphine, just to name a few. My daily doseage would be enough to kill a normal non-opiate resistant person. A lil bit of some good bud and I can cut out 2 or more of the scripts... Definatly the best anti-spasm medication that I have ever had....and I've had more than a few!

helen qsj49 September 3, 2010 11:30 am (Pacific time)

I believe medical maraijuana should be legalized in all states, I've been on so many pain medications that I've oded 3 times bacause I've gotten mixed up on how many of one or another pill I've taken and I know for a fact that maraijuana kills the pain better and leaves me a mnmre productive persom

Peter Q. Wolfe July 19, 2010 5:51 am (Pacific time)

I don't get arbitrarily picking marijuana to make illegal, especially in cases where it could ease sick peoples' suffering. Because of what? It being mind altering? Well so is caffeine, alcohol, and a long list of pharmaceuticals. It's because it's an herb and the pharmaceutical companies can't produce their own chemical compounds to patent it; people can just grow their own feel-better home remedy. The sales of "legal" drugs would decrease. So I actually do get it. What I don't get is why more people don't get that.

Anonymous May 24, 2010 10:56 am (Pacific time)

..like meohmy stated "just another form of control disguised under the label of freedom as well as rob you of your money one again" This government is so corrupt and controlling in their quest for money. They are worse than the drug dealers. They now want all of the money because they don't have any, so they will once again tax you as a citizen to open a dispensary and then charge you tenfold to buy it. Well, Maryland..You know what you have to do...Overgrow....They cannot stop that and they will have a hard time prosecuting when they allow marijuana for medical purposes, but do not allow you to grow your own. I'm sure any good lawyer would have fun with that. Overgrow!!!!!!!

Zac April 11, 2010 6:12 pm (Pacific time)

all right seriously marijuana should be totally legal for anyone... this is just a step in the process. Honestly do you think that the government should make a personal decision like that for everyone. The government shouldnt baby people. If somone wants to smoke they should be able too.

meohmy April 10, 2010 6:39 pm (Pacific time)

...safe access to their medicine through state-licensed distribution centers. what a joke... if they really believe in this bill , then the people would have the right to cultivate and grow their own. as it is , just another form of control disguised under the label of freedom as well as rob you of your money once again. way to go maryland.

jmvb April 11, 2010 11:24 am (Pacific time)

It's sad to see how politicians do not move on a subject unless it is going to be safe for them to do so. That alone tells me this country is screwed and it is not as great as the ignorant thinks it is.

randy April 10, 2010 2:35 pm (Pacific time)

good to see our politicians slowly following behind us. It makes sense in so many ways. I know many people on three or more prescriptions that have very dangerous side effects. The Marijuana would be safer and cut two medications out of the equation. This bill will cut the cost of healthcare. Marijuana is much cheaper compared to many medicines.

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Maryland Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

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