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Maryland Legislature Votes to Reduce Penalties for Medicinal Marijuana Users

By Lindsay F. Wiley [Bio]

April 1, 2003 - The Maryland legislature has passed a bill establishing a maximum penalty of $100 for defendants who can prove they used marijuana as a medical necessity. Those who are unable to show medical necessity will continue to be subject to current penalties of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. indicated last week that he is leaning toward signing the bill into law. If he does so, Maryland will become the ninth state to enact medicinal marijuana legislation. In most states, the laws have been enacted through referenda.

Initially, supporters of medicinal marijuana had hoped to create a pilot program that would decriminalize marijuana for some terminally ill patients. Legislators chose the current form of the bill in an effort to avoid scrutiny from federal officials who oppose medicinal marijuana laws. Maryland residents who claim medical necessity will continue to be subject to federal prosecution.

Currently, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether marijuana eases pain, nausea or other symptoms. The Federal Food and Drug Administration has declared it to be an unsafe and ineffective medicine.