Md. health official backs medical marijuana bill

(AP)—Maryland's health secretary is expressing support for a measure to allow medical marijuana in the state.

Secretary Joshua Sharfstein told on Friday that Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration has changed its position from last year. He says that's because the federal government has not brought charges against any state employees in other states who may have been involved with distributing medical marijuana.

Last year, the administration didn't support a similar proposal, citing concerns about potential federal prosecution of state employees.

Sharfstein says the administration is supporting the bill sponsored by Democratic Delegate Dan Morhaim of Baltimore County, with some amendments.

The bill would create a commission to oversee the program at . Morhaim says it would be "the tightest and most controlled of any state" medical marijuana program.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Citation: Md. health official backs medical marijuana bill (2013, March 9) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-md-health-medical-marijuana-bill.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Arkansas court upholds medical marijuana proposal

 shares

Feedback to editors