Maryland info
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Status of Medical Marijuana (Cannabis) in Maryland.
Info on Maryland and Medical CannabisMaryland has a MEDICAL MARIJUANA (cannabis) LAW, But it is In-Effective. See below for efforts to change this.
MARYLAND'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW IS BROKEN!
It's True. Medical marijuana patients are treated like criminals in Maryland. They can still be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted - even if they possess a doctor's recommendation. Marylanders who suffer from serious or chronic disease deserve a law that works. Support access to an effective medicine and real protections for patients. We are not criminals. We Âare mothers, fathers, sisters, employees, and business owners. We take care of our families, we pay taxes, and we vote. Help us fix Maryland's medical marijuana law.
ASA MoCo Chapter History Since 2007, ASA chapters in MD have hosted numerous meetings, provided trainings and teach-ins across the state, organized art parties, and created a public presence by attending street festivals in Bethesda, Wheaton, Fell’s Point, and outside the M&T Bank Stadium during the Baltimore Ravens’ home games – all to spread awareness about medical cannabis and to recruit new members. The chapters worked with the Drug Policy Alliance to promote the Maryland Patients for Access campaign, designed to build grassroots support and identify potential leadership for upcoming reform efforts. In addition to public awareness sessions, the ASA chapters have hosted spokesperson and media trainings, making Marylanders better informed about of the vulnerabilities that patient’s face and how to navigate law enforcement encounters.
ASA MARYLAND EVENTS | HB 1339 Introduced - Call your State Delegates! Delegate Henry Heller (D-Montgomery County) introduced legislation, HB 1339, that creates a task force to study the issues related to medical marijuana throughout the state of Maryland. If the bill passes, the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene would be required to staff a Governor-appointed task force to evaluate whether the current state law is effective, fair, and equally enforced across all state jurisdictions in addition to other issues concerning the limited, therapeutic use of cannabis. Visit -
ACTION; There are a number of medical cannabis (marijuana) bills in play in states across the US. Here we network on Ways anyone can help with the effort to make each a medical marijuana state. We need to get the word out and people contacting reps and officials and get this legislation into law. Also, lets not forget efforts at the Federal level.
NETWORK and Spread The Word, both On-Line and Off (!) ON-LINE, You can tell everybody in cyber-space by e-mailing a link to this website to them and/or printing off the info and handing out where possible / necessary. Also phone call and read off and/or visit and hand deliver the info. OFF-LINE, You can take literature with you and approach businesses, organizations and even people on the street while you're out and about. Wear your pot-leaf shirt and register voters, as feasible. Gather signatures for any related petitions that are happening at the time as well.
Meetings and Meet-Ups > Medical Cannabis Meetup Groups - Medical Cannabis Meetups around the world | Find a Medical Cannabis Meetup Group near you ... grouped by City and Country ... find the ones with the most people interested in Medical Cannabis Meetups in Maryland ... international, national, provincial, municipal levels ... Visit -
Current Law
SUMMARY: The "Darrell Putman" Bill -- Resolution #0756-2003 -- Approved in the state senate by a vote of 29-17. Signed into law by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. on May 22, 2003 Effective: Oct. 1, 2003 | Maryland's legislature passed a medical marijuana affirmative defense law in 2003. The law allows defendents being prosecuted for the use or possession of marijuana to introduce evidence of medical necessity and physician approval, to be considered by the court as a mitigating factor. This law requires the court to consider a defendant's use of medical marijuana to be a mitigating factor in marijuana-related state prosecution. If the patient, post-arrest, successfully makes the case at trial that his or her use of marijuana is one of medical necessity, then the maximum penalty allowed by law would be a $100 fine. The law, however, does not protect users of medical marijuana from arrest or establish a registry program, or allowing growing, etc. See - Senate Bill 502 (PDF 72 KB), MEDICAL MARIJUANA STATUTES: Maryland Darnell Putman Compassionate Use Act, §5-601(3)(II) (2003).
Possession/Cultivation: N / A
Amendments: Not Amended
Updates: N / A
Application information N / A - No state program, no contact info
Fee: N / A
Source(s): NORML.org, ProCon.org
local Organizations, CONTACTs and other ResourcesNORML Terps (University of Maryland) | Officers: Christina Pickeral (Vice President), Zach Brown (President), Sofia Ferber (Secretary) Contact info: College Park, MD * Visit:
More, Will be listed here | As we learn about them. In the meantime ... visit: for the latest.
... Also | DrugSense / MAPinc > Drug Policy Organizations, Links and other Resources. Find a Resource near you -or- Enter yours! ... Visit:
Maryland Cases Show Law's Flaws, Activists Say
Maryland's medical marijuana law worked as intended in two cases this month, but activists say the cases show the problems with the law and have vowed to press for changes. Each of the cases involved a seriously ill patient - including one who is a founding member of the local chapter of Americans for Safe Access -- who received $100 fines and misdemeanor convictions after demonstrating that their doctors had recommended cannabis for their conditions.
"ASA-Maryland is more committed than ever to changing our state's medical marijuana law," said Tony Bowles, the chapter's spokesperson. "We should not be wasting the limited resources of the state on multi-day trials that result in a simple $100 fine. The law should provide better protection for patients and direction for law enforcement." In the unrelated cases, each patient had been charged with felony possession with intent to distribute. Maryland law still classifies medical use of marijuana as a criminal offense, but limits the punishment to misdemeanor possession with a fine of $100.
One case involved a woman who uses cannabis to control her epilepsy, the other a man who suffers from a condition that causes episodes of severe vomiting that require hospitalization. The woman's attorney told reporters that he was unaware of Maryland's medical marijuana law prior to taking the case, but nonetheless successfully argued in court that she should be covered by presenting medical studies showing that epilepsy can be controlled with cannabis.
In the other case, the judge refused to allow a medical necessity defense or any mention of the patient's condition at trial, though the cannabis seized by police was clearly labeled "For Medicinal Use Only," and the man has written recommendations from two physicians, including to a gastro-intestinal specialist who noted that no other medication is effective. That medical evidence was allowed at a sentencing hearing, and ASA's Director of Government Affairs, Caren Woodson, also testified to his long-standing activism as a medical cannabis patient.
"ASA is happy that patients and defense attorneys are able to get reduced sentences in Maryland," said Woodson. "But no one who uses cannabis in accordance with a physician's recommendation should be treated as a criminal by law enforcement or subjected to fines or any other penalties." Visit -
The LAW - Informational link (INF) The Law. Maryland's legislature passed a medical marijuana affirmative defense law in 2003. This law requires the court to consider a defendant's use of medical marijuana to be a mitigating factor in marijuana-related state prosecution. If the patient, post-arrest, successfully makes the case at trial that his or her use of marijuana is one of medical necessity, then the maximum penalty allowed by law would be a $100 fine. Visit > < for more.
Info (ORG) Becoming A Patient. Since Maryland only provides an affirmative defense in court for medical marijuana patients, there is no real process for becoming a patient other than receiving a valid doctor's recommendation. Therefore, there is no registration fee, identification card, or list of eligible medical conditions provided. Additionally, Maryland's medical marijuana law does not state what is considered to be valid written documentation to prove eligibility, or how to find a physician to recommend medical marijuana. Visit: for more.
News (ONL) Cannabis News Service (CNS) This site will function as an archive, with updates on some of our most popular video pages. Currently leading Maryland's grassroots medical marijuana effort, Kitty Tucker knows how unfair laws can affect lives. ... Visit -
News (INF) from MarijuanaNews.Com, where Freedom has nothing to fear from the truth. “Of course, as often as not, the police have such a strangle hold on the politicians that they still end up doing the wrong thing, or as in Maryland, a parody of the right thing. It would appear that Maryland is about to enact a “medical cannabis” bill, which demonstrates that the quality of mercy is not merely strained, it is severely herniated. Patients will be subject only to a fine of $100! Whoopdee do! The line for groveling starts on the right.
I do not mean to belittle in any way the hard work of the people who managed to squeeze even this little blood from the stone hearts of the appalling people who govern us, but how can anyone vote for a fine for a sick person using a plant? If they really need the plant, that is cruel, and if they don’t need it, then why do anything? There is at least one good thing about the bill, however. The Drug Czar does not like it.” See more at:
Maryland Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill ... Free Electronic Newsletter. ... of the drug who can prove they used marijuana out of medical necessity and with a doctor's recommendation ... Visit -
New Maryland Gov. Supports Medical Marijuana | JoinTogether.org > Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has vowed to sign legislation that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical reasons. ... The new Republican governor said he has long supported me ... Visit -
The Law, LEGAL ResourcesMaryland (MD) MJ LEGAL Resources, by NORML. NORML Legal Committee members, and more for Maryland, by NORML - the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. ... Visit -
Also, here are some national / international Resources -
The Laws concerning marijuana in Maryland. By NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Visit: for more.
Drug Policy Alliance: Info for Medical Marijuana Litigators: Maryland ... Home > Marijuana: The Facts > Medical Marijuana > Legal Challenges > Info for Litigators > Legal > State Laws > Info for Medical Marijuana Litigators: Maryland ... Click > here < for more.
Medicinal Marijuana - State-by-State American Laws | U.S. State Laws on Medical Marijuana Source: CNN Interactive .... Highlights: A licensed pharmacist may dispense cannabis type drugs to a person receiving ... click > here < for more.
U.S. Marijuana Laws, Medical Marijuana Facts, Cannabis, Hemp | Provides U.S. Marijuana Laws, Facts About Marijuana, Marijuana Drug Testing, Drug Detection Times, Medical Marijuana, and Information About Your Rights ... North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon... visit -
Erowid Cannabis Vault : Legal Status, U.S. LAW | Both Cannabis and Tetrahydrocannabinols, the active chemicals contained in Cannabis plants, are Schedule I in the United States. This means they are federally illegal to cultivate, buy, possess, or distribute (sell, trade or give) in all forms (cannabis plants, extracts, hash, hash oil, thc, etc) except synthetic THC (Marinol) which is Schedule III. The federal scheduling of Cannabis was disputed in 1988 by Judge Francis Young, an administrative law judge for the DEA, who recommended that marijuana be reclassified as schedule II on the grounds that if a respectable minority of doctors endorse it, then it has a "currently accepted medical use". Visit:
See Contacts section, below, for Organizations and other Resources for Legal Help.
International Law, LEGAL ResourcesLegal and medical status of cannabis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | Cannabis is in Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, making it subject to special restrictions. Article 2 provides for the following, in reference to Schedule IV drugs:
A Party shall, if in its opinion the prevailing conditions in its country render it the most appropriate means of protecting the public health and welfare, prohibit the production, manufacture, export and import of, trade in, possession or use of any such drug except for amounts which may be necessary for medical and scientific research only, including clinical trials therewith to be conducted under or subject to the direct supervision and control of the Party.
This provision, while apparently providing for the limitation of cannabis to research purposes only, also seems to allow some latitude for nations to make their own judgments. The official Commentary on the Single Convention indicates that Parties are expected to make that judgment in good faith. Click > here < for more.
LEGISLATION, Action Items and related ResourcesOnTheIssues - Albert Wynn. Government issues are placed in four categories, along with a link for background data, and on each issue view how this Maryland Democrat Representative voted. Legalize medical marijuana. (Jul 2001) Rated +10 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance. (Dec 2006) ... Visit:
Drug Policy Alliance: Reform in Maryland | State legislatures are traditionally at the forefront of policy change, serving as "laboratories" for new ideas and solutions. Drug policy reform is no exception: on issues of drug sentencing, medical marijuana, overdose prevention, and expansion of effective drug treatment services, many states are working for better ways to reduce the harms associated both with drugs and current drug policies. ... visit:
NORML / A Page Just For You / Medical Marijuana Patients | This section is to help you locate the information you need to become fully informed regarding medical marijuana -- as well as play an important role in changing America’s misguided marijuana laws. Select One, All States and Canada, Mexico, Europe, Other ... visit:
DrugInfo - Medical Cannabis: USA > In Search of a Viable Distribution System for Oklahoma's Medical Marijuana Program ... Medicinal Cannabis: USA Federal: Legislation, Court Decisions and Commentaries States: Legislation and Programs. Click here for more.
Others? Will be listed here. As we get the info. You can also check the Events and News sections to see if there are any Items posted there. Know about one yourself? Post it on the Bulletin Board, below.
National and International ORGz SectionASA : Maryland | Medical cannabis (medical marijuana) resources in Maryland ... Find info here on the therapeutic uses of and research on medical cannabis. ... visit -
American Medical Marijuana Association ... Medical Marijuana Farmacy | Maryland. State registration program, Dept of Health and Social Services 907-465-5423. Colorado. State registration program (303) 692-2184 medical.marijuana ... visit:
NORML Home / Medical Use by State. All States and Canada Mexico Europe Other ... See Map: for more.
Patients Out of Time is a patient advocacy organization with a universal constituency. They support the rights of patients to have a legal and safe access to the therapeutic use of cannabis. The mission of their organization, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, is the education of health care professionals and the public about the therapeutic use of cannabis. Their leadership is composed of medical and nursing professionals with expertise in the clinical applications of cannabis and five of the seven patients (two wish to remain anonymous) who receive their medical cannabis from the US government. Patients Out of Time is the only national non-profit in the United States that focuses only on therapeutic cannabis issues. Visit -
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). Join the Marijuana Policy Project! State officials confirm Supreme Court decision does not impact state medical marijuana laws. Medical Marijuana Briefing Paper - 2005. Until 1937, marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) was legal in the United States ... Hawaii enacted a medical marijuana law via its state legislature in 2000 and ... Visit:
DrugSense: Drug Law Reform ... of Justice Statistics, State Court Organization, 1998 (Washington, DC ... Cannabis in Medical Practice: A Legal, Historical and Pharmacological... Visit:
OCBC's Links Page. Organizations Supporting Medical-cannabis Reform. Americans for Safe Access(ASA) coordinates "...a nation-wide day of action to push back DEA attempts to re-criminalize medical cannabis! ... Washington Citizens for Medical Rights, sponsored a successful medical cannabis ballot measure in November 1998. "As a result, this Initiative is now State ... Visit:
Excellent medical info on cannabis, Washington State's I-692 Medical Marijuana Law ... Greencross. Washington State based buyer's cooperative based in Seattle. Trailblazer in state ... Visit: < for more.
Marijuana links. Popular Searches: Medical Marijuana Links. Marijuana Research Links. ... about marijuana, The Washington State Medical Marijuana Act CHAPTER 69.51A RCW This is ... an activist for medical marijuana. Chronic Cannabis Use A report on ... Click > here < for more.