Pubdate: Tue, 26 Mar 2013
Source: Washington Examiner (DC)
Copyright: 2013 Washington Examiner
Contact:  http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3788
Author: Andy Brownfield
Page: 5

MD. HOUSE APPROVES MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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.

Maryland's plan of having the program administered by teaching
hospitals allows the effects of medical marijuana to be researched by
the people dispensing it.

The research aspect of the bill has drawn the support of MedChi, the
Maryland State Medical Society, which has traditionally taken no
position on medical marijuana legislation.

"What happens is, we have the doctors who think if it alleviates pain
we should be able to use it, and then we have the physicians who worry
about their offices becoming havens for drug seekers," MedChi CEO Gene
Ransom said.

"We like [the bill] because it creates a pathway through an academic
center. We can find out if there are ways to use it to better society."

The commission that would be set up to license and approve the medical
centers for dispensing marijuana would be named for Natalie M.
LaPrade, mother of Del. Cheryl Glenn, D-Baltimore. LaPrade, who died
three years ago from kidney cancer, had no appetite toward the end of
her life because of her cancer treatment, Glenn said.

"I just wanted to give a face to those people who are suffering and
dying because of illnesses that create a lack of ability to eat, which
is where medical marijuana would help patients," Glenn said.

"This is groundbreaking legislation, and I'm honored to have it named
after my mom," she said, to the applause of many in the House chamber.

The measure has the best chance of passing of many in recent years as
Gov. Martin O'Malley has removed a threat of veto, which has
historically prevented medical marijuana legislation from advancing.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Joshua Sharfstein
told lawmakers earlier this month that he supported the bill, if it
contained a provision that allowed the governor to suspend the program
if the federal government - which still schedules marijuana as an
illegal drug - pursued charges against the state or its workers.

The measure now heads to the Senate, where the House sponsor -
emergency room physician and Baltimore County Democratic Del. Dan
Morhaim - says he is hopeful of its chances to pass. The Senate
recently approved a bill decriminalizing the possession of small
amounts of marijuana.

Virginia advocates of medical marijuana made no headway during the
2013 legislative session, which ended last month.
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MAP posted-by: Matt