Maryland liberalized its marijuana laws in this year's General Assembly session, including legalizing medical marijuana, but advocates say lawmakers fell short of the changes they wanted. Lawmakers approved a bill to allow medical marijuana to be distributed through teaching hospitals attached to universities, where its effects can be studied. The General Assembly also passed a measure that allows caregivers of medical marijuana patients to get off the hook or get a $100 fine if they are arrested for pot possession. Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to sign both. [continues 310 words]
ANNAPOLIS - Maryland would join its neighbors in the District in allowing marijuana for medical use under a bill passed with little opposition by the House of Delegates on Monday. The legislation, which passed 100-28, would create a process for medical marijuana to be prescribed and distributed through academic medical centers - typically hospitals that are part of universities. The Maryland approach differs from that of D.C. and many of the 18 other states that allow medical marijuana, which have private growers and sellers distribute marijuana to patients who have obtained a doctor's prescription. [continues 388 words]
Possession of small amounts of marijuana would incur a civil fine instead of a criminal penalty under a bill approved by the Maryland Senate on Tuesday. The Senate voted 30-16 to replace the criminal charge of possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana with a civil fine of up to $100. Ten grams, about a third of an ounce, is equivalent to the weight of about two nickels. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, characterized people with 10 grams or less of marijuana as "small-time" possessors and said it was a waste of taxpayer money to prosecute them and put them through the criminal justice system. [continues 318 words]
For the second time in 2011, the Illinois House has voted down a bill to allow chronically ill citizens to use medical marijuana to treat their maladies. The proposal received only 53 yes votes Thursday to 61 in opposition, with four lawmakers voting "present." A similar measure failed by four votes on Jan. 6. Sixty votes were needed for passage. "It turns out, even though there were 53 ("yes" votes) on the board, I had 58 votes," said sponsor Rep. Lou Lang, D-Chicago. "Two people voted 'no' because they saw it was going to fail, three people voted 'present' because they saw it was going to fail." [continues 340 words]
Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross' change of heart could mean a change in the prospects for medical marijuana in Illinois. Cross, R-Oswego, had opposed the legislation in the past, but changed his mind after hearing from constituents and members of the medical community, spokeswoman Sara Wojcicki said. Cross' position does not represent that of the rest of the Republican caucus, she said. However, his backing of the idea could clear the way for Illinois to join 15 other states in legalizing medical marijuana. [continues 775 words]
