SB 308 the new medical marijuana law is the most pathetic excuse to protect patients in this state’s history. Basically, the law states that if you have a prescription from your doctor you can possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Here is the kicker, you do not have any protection from prosecution by the police. Even if you show an officer your prescription you will be sent to jail if you possess marijuana. To give you some perspective that is like having a prescription for Oxy Contin and then going to jail for it because of a vague and pathetic law. The law only allows you to use an affirmative defense in court which would most likely cost you a few thousand dollars because of legal fees, as well as a potential fine of up to 100 dollars. Yes, the law states even if you have a prescription and have a valid reason for using medical marijuana, the court system can fine you 100 dollars. Excuse my language, but what the heck is wrong with these legislators?

With this law you still cannot even purchase medical marijuana from a licensed distributor. Nobody wants to get their medication off a street corner. Many Maryland representatives are pathetically looking out for their political careers as opposed to the health and safety of their citizens, or they would not force the most vulnerable citizens of this state to purchase their medications in back alleys and drug dealers’ homes.

I have a major issues with law makers constantly stigmatizing medical cannabis. Law makers use an excuse that medical marijuana is unhealthy for you especially if smoked. Well, so is subjecting your body to radiation and chemotherapy which literally destroys living cells in patients. However, that treatment will help people beat cancer; the same way cannabis helps people overcome the symptoms of chronic pain from many diseases and the horrible side effects of many dangerous treatments like chemotherapy. The point is that these medicines and methods work for the patients,and if a doctor recommends a patient a medical substance it is most likely for the benefit of the patient and their health. Since when did legislators become medical doctors, and understand the efficacy of medications?

Bringing awareness,

The Weed Street Journal