Call the Maryland House Judiciary Committee and urge a vote on medical marijuana

Maryland law currently provides medical marijuana patients with an affirmative defense for using their medicine. Patients can defend themselves in court by saying their marijuana use is out of medical necessity, but they are still subject to arrest not to mention all the court costs and personal turmoil involved.

Bills were introduced this year that would significantly improve Maryland law and provide medical marijuana patients with the protection they deserve. HB 1040 and SB 757 would both enact the Maryland Compassionate Use Act.

HB 1040 recently had a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. The hearing went well, but the bill still needs to be held for a vote. Please take a moment to call committee chairman Joseph Vallario (D-27A) and urge him to put HB 1040 on the voting list. His numbers are (410) 841-3488 or (301) 858-3488.

While Chairman Vallario is the one with the power to call a vote on this compassionate legislation, support from the other delegates on the committee is needed to see the bill through! If you recognize any of the following delegates as your own, please take a moment to call him or her, urging support for medical marijuana and a YES vote on HB 1040. Delegates are especially interested in hearing from their own constituents, so if you are unsure if any of the delegates listed below represent you, you can find out by visiting this page. If none of the following committee members represent you, please still contact one or more of them of your choosing.

Samuel I. Rosenberg (D-41) vice-chair (410) 841-3297 or (301) 858-3297