Medical marijuana measures head to governor
Maryland will study how to develop a medical marijuana distribution system, and decriminalize small amounts of pot for sick people, under legislation now headed to Gov. Martin O'Malley's desk for a promised signature.
The more controversial portion of the two-part bill provides an "affirmative defense" for sick people arrested with 1 ounce or less of marijuana. If the person convinces a judge or jury of a "medical necessity" for the drug, he or she would be found not guilty.
The new law will go a step further that what Maryland already has on the books. Right now, a person showing medical necessity receives a lower sentence -- a $100 citation -- but still has a conviction on his or her criminal record.
Also under the legislation, the state will begin to study of how to develop and implement a medical marijuana distribution system. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use.
Comments
This doesn't go nearly far enough, but it's something I guess.
Posted by: karmacoma01 | April 11, 2011 10:34 PM
What a joke? Maryland's goverment body is antiquated, prejudice and never have I felt more hopeless in the progression of moving forward as rite now.
Posted by: mmcqa10 | April 12, 2011 10:29 AM
marijuana should be legalized completely maybe people should realize it safer than pills and doesn't have all the bad side effects as pills also it's the only substance you can't overdose on
Posted by: michelle joe | April 12, 2011 12:09 PM
So tobacco kills millions per year and is legal. Alcohol kills hundreds of thousands per year and is legal. Never in history has a death been blamed on marijuana but let's make it illegal. It's pretty simple when you think about it. Government can tax the hell out of both tobacco and alcohol because it's difficult to make and not easily attainable, but since marijuana is a simple plant that anyone can grow (thus can't tax it) it's illegal. What a joke our FREE country has turned out to be.
Posted by: Carl | April 12, 2011 4:22 PM
i wish i could tell my story of how pot has changed my life . i would love to talk to gov. O'mally be on tv to explain everything i have say to. The 3 worst drug the planet r alcohol,smoking,&pills and there the worst because there the biggest drug dealers out there thats 4 sure i was told by 1 person he could sell 1 80 oxycoten 4 $120 a piece thats what im talking about i've never done something crazy,had a blackout,or forgot what i did the night before from smoking pot but i have as well as tons of other people all over the world from alcohol thats a fact, but people all over the country r losing there houses,cars, kids because there addicted 2 pills just don't understand i was in the marines and got hurt and had 2 have neck surgery at 1 point the VA had me taking 44 pills a day and i hate taking pills they do so much harm 2 your body i've done my research believe me. A little over 2 years i ran out of 1 of my pain pills and i was in so much pain i tried pot now im down to 15 pills a day but theres alot of other things wrong with me because of the neck surgery that would take to long to explain but pot helps with my sleeping problem, the pain,the muscle spasms, and helps me to eat hope someone reads this and could help me tell my story of what pot does 4 me would love to tell it on T.V.so everyone could here it and im not shy. I would speak on T.V. or in public. Thx to anyone who reads this and if someone has any advice e-mail me at recker13@comcast.net later
Posted by: stephen recker | April 15, 2011 9:47 PM