Medical Marijuana Bill Moves Forward In [Maryland] Senate

WBAL-TV ^ | March 25, 2003

[MrLeRoy]

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A measure to reduce penalties for medical marijuana is moving forward in the Senate.

The legislation passed through the amendment stage Tuesday on the Senate floor and there was no debate on the issue. A vote could come as soon as Wednesday. A matching bill already has passed the full House of Delegates.

The bill would allow people charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana to present evidence that they have a medical condition that can be helped by smoking pot.

The maximum penalty for possession of marijuana for medical purposes would be a $100 fine. There would be no jail term.

Gov. Bob Ehrlich supports the concept of medical marijuana, but he has not taken a position on this specific bill.

[MrLeRoy]

WOD ping

[bassmaner]

bump

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[jmc813]

We were discussing this earlier, so I figured I'd give you a ping.

[Wolfie]

Wow, pretty bold of the legislature to make the penalty for medicinal possession the same as many states have for recreational possession.

[MrLeRoy]

Rome wasn't built in a day.

[Wolfie]

I'm just pointing out the ridiculously minsicule step this is. The Drug Czar and his cronies are painting this as the last days of Pompeii, crowing about "immoral" legislation and "sending the wrong message to children". Meanwhile, in the 11 States that have completely decriminalized marijuana possession, life quietly goes on.

[vin-one]

in the 11 States that have completely decriminalized marijuana possession,

Que?

[robertpaulsen]

"MPP launched an unprecedented grassroots lobbying campaign this year in support of H.B. 1222."
--mpp.org

[MrLeRoy]

I'm just pointing out the ridiculously minsicule step this is. The Drug Czar and his cronies are painting this as the last days of Pompeii, crowing about "immoral" legislation and "sending the wrong message to children".

Good point.

[MrLeRoy]

"MPP launched an unprecedented grassroots lobbying campaign this year in support of H.B. 1222."
--mpp.org

Good for them---the First Amendment in action.

[AppyPappy]

Can you change this to read "Maryland Senate"?

[frodolives]

I don't believe the Federal government gives a rats hind end about the compassion shown by Maryland. "No means NO! Lock 'em up! Look, we're winning this war, too!"