New Medical Marijuana Law in Maryland
The Maryland Senate had approved a state medical marijuana law to reduce substantially the criminal sanctions for seriously ill people caught smoking marijuana as a way of relieving their symptoms. The state medical marijuana law was approved 29-17 despite the objections of opponents who denounced the measure as a significant step to legalization of marijuana. Twenty-four Democrats joined five Republicans in support of the state medical marijuana law, which would set a maximum fine of $100 and no jail time for defendants who can prove that they need to use marijuana to treat the symptoms of illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, and Crohn’s disease.
Drug Czar John Walters had made a last-ditch attempt to stop the state medical marijuana laws, claiming that it is a “cynical, cruel, and immoral effort to use the sick and suffering.”
On the other hand, Robert Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C, had stated that “The Maryland legislature has shown the courage to defy the federal drug czar by reducing penalties for medical marijuana, right in the backyard of a hostile White House. Unfortunately, the bill is weaker than the laws (state medical marijuana laws) in the eight states where medical marijuana is legal. The bill protects marijuana-using patients from jail, but they can still be arrested, handcuffed, prosecuted, and forced to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees.”
Seven of the existing state medical marijuana laws in Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington have been enacted through ballot initiatives. In 2000, Hawaii became the first state to pass a state medical marijuana law through the state legislature.
Kampia had further stated that, “John Walters lost this battle because science, compassion, and common sense, not to mention 80 percent of the American people are on our side.” He also stated that “We will be back next year to enact full legal protections for patients, and we expect to win.”
Governor Robert Ehrlich, a co-sponsor of the States’ Rights to Medical Marijuana Act and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is expected to sign the measure to be officially made a state medical marijuana law. The House had already approved a similar bill and supporters have absolute belief that they have an excellent chance of getting both bills approved by the Governor.
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