Medical marijuana patients score big win in Maryland poll

By a two-to-one margin, Maryland voters say they are more likely to "vote for a candidate for public office who supports the right of a patient … to use marijuana for medical purposes."

A poll, conducted by Gonzales/Arscott Research and Communications, Inc. from January 9-12, found that 37 percent of Marylanders are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports a patient's right to use medical marijuana. Only 18 percent said they are less likely to support a candidate who supports medical marijuana. Forty percent of Marylanders say a candidate's position on medical marijuana would have no effect on their vote.

The poll provides credible evidence that a vote for medical marijuana will not harm delegates, senators, and statewide candidates at the ballot box. Only an ill-advised candidate would launch an attack ad against a delegate or senator for supporting medical marijuana legislation.

Please take a few minutes and visit MPP's Maryland web site—/MD—to send a supportive e-mail to your state legislators.

Tell them that they don't have to fear losing public support over medical marijuana. Rather, a majority of voters support giving patients in Maryland protection from arrest for using the drug with their doctors' approval.