Maryland's medical marijuana law protects patient

MPP's work in Maryland has protected a medical marijuana patient from a criminal record, a fine, and possible imprisonment. Last week, Frederick County Circuit Court Judge John H. Tisdale granted "probation before judgment" to a woman charged with marijuana possession. A letter from the woman's physician proved her medical necessity both to the court and to the assistant state's attorney.

The medical marijuana patient was granted one year of probation and was not fined. If she avoids legal trouble for the duration of her probation, the charges will be dropped entirely. If, however, she violates her probation, the maximum penalty for her medical marijuana use remains at $100, with no possible jail time.

Without the passage of H.B. 702 last year, this medical marijuana patient would have faced imprisonment and a steep $1,000 fine, and such a dismissal would not have been possible. But it is important to note that if the Maryland General Assembly had passed MPP's original bill language, medical marijuana patients would have been protected from arrest, in addition to criminal penalties.

You can read some of the news coverage of this event by clicking here.

If you contacted your legislators last year in support of this bill, thank you. MPP's 2003 medical marijuana victory in Maryland could not have happened without your help.

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