Global Ganja Report

The Maryland House of Delegates on March 25 approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana by a vote of 108-28. The bill would also create a state commission to manage medical marijuana programs at participating academic medical research centers. While the number of distribution centers to be created is uncertain, neither the University of Maryland nor Johns Hopkins University have demonstrated interest in being involved in the distribution system.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley previously opposed the bill but has recently reversed course and now supports the measure. The bill, which would not take effect until at least 2016, now moves to the Senate, which last week approved a bill to decriminalize small amounts of the drug. The House has yet to act on that bill. (Jurist, March 26)

Graphic: Herbal Remedies