MD House Approves Limited Medical Marijuana

Don't get your hopes up, but it's a start

The Maryland House of Delegates approved a bill that would make medical marijuana legally available through academic medical research centers in a 108-28 vote on Monday. The bill will now head to the state Senate, where supporters expect passage.

Maryland's marijuana bill is limited, compared to programs in other states. Pot use will be tightly restricted to medicinal purposes, and a representative of state police chiefs will sit on a commission overseeing its use. The House vote nevertheless represents an important victory for medical marijuana advocates, because it comes on the heels of a decision from the administration of Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to withdraw its opposition.

Eighteen states have approved medical marijuana in some form, but the federal government still says the drug has no legitimate medical use. If the Maryland Senate and O'Malley give the bill final approval, the state will begin what could be a years-long process to set up the parameters for medical use and navigate around federal obstacles.