(Washington Business Journal) Dr. Dan Morhaim, a state delegate in Maryland, will propose a broadening of the use of medical marijuana in next year’s legislative session in Annapolis, according to The Gazette.
Morhaim’s proposal would be set up similar to the state’s slots legislation. Companies that want to grow the plant would have to bid for a license and be regulated by the state to ensure it is being done in a safe location and properly manufactured. The producers would then give a portion of its gross sales revenue to the state, The Gazette reported. Under current state law, Marylanders can be arrested and charged for possession of marijuana, but they can avoid jail time and receive a maximum $100 fine if they can prove they have it for medicinal use.
This is why sometimes you’ll see references to 14 medical marijuana states and sometimes 13. Maryland has what is called an “affirmative defense”, which is just about the least you can do to protect sick and disabled people who use medical marijuana. They can still be arrested and booked, as mentioned above, but also that “proof of medical use” has to come about in a trial, which means you’ll be hiring attorneys and paying all sorts of fees and costs to get that $100 fine instead of a prison cell.
In my opinion, any medical marijuana law that doesn’t provide protection from arrest shouldn’t count when we say how many medical marijuana states there are.
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In reading this just now, the number 15 came to mind, followed by a momentary stoner blank. Worry not, it came back to me. Though there are 13 states with actual medical marijuana processes on the books that can be applied in practice, Maryland and Arizona, are the ambiguous ones.
Maryland accepts an affirmitive medical defense, but this is more of a decriminalizaton than a legalizaton.
Arizona, on the other hand, really did legalize medical use in 1996 with 65% in favor. The problem is the word “Prescribtion” which invalidates the law by putting it in direct conflict with federal law and endangering any doctor who may have chosen to “Prescribe” in accordance with it.
This got me thinking how poorly our media really researches things these days. 13, 14, or is it 15 states with medical marijuana laws on the books. If the media is going to misinform the general public I think we should be sure they know to use the errant 15 over anything else.
Peace to all.
[...] Maryland legislator wants better medical marijuana protections [...]
It will be interesting to see how D.C. implements is MMJ policy. Will we see lots of sick people just driving to DC to get their medicine legitimatley?