A History of Medical Cannabis in the State of Maryland
This is the fourth part of a series of blog posts about the history of medical cannabis in America. We want to provide our community with a detailed account of the evolution of medical cannabis law in the United States. This article exclusively details the history of medical cannabis in the state of Maryland.
In 1619, the Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp. Hemp was allowed to be exchanged as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. Domestic production flourished until after the Civil War when imports and other domestic materials replaced hemp for many purposes. In the late nineteenth century, marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in public pharmacies. Cannabis was then restricted and laws eventually changed, as Maryland became less welcoming to cannabis and its consumers.[1]
In 2003, protection for patients using medical cannabis in Maryland was established. The Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act, also known as HB 702, established an affirmative defense for medical cannabis patients with less than one ounce in their possession, carrying a maximum fine of $100.
In 2011, the state Senate passed SB 308, which allowed patients to use medical cannabis for specific conditions. However, patients were still subject to the $100 fine created n 2003. In 2013, HB 180 expanded on this to allow caregivers the same protection.
In 2013, HB 1101 was passed, enabling academic and medical centers to conduct research on medical cannabis. This bill also established the Natalie M. LaParade Medical Marijuana Commission, which developed regulations regarding medical cannabis use, cultivation, and research in the state of Maryland.
In 2014, the Maryland General Assembly approved HB 881. This landmark bill established a legal comprehensive medical cannabis program. It offered legal protection for patients, caregivers, and physicians and set up a distribution program. Registered patients and caregivers were permitted to obtain a 30-day supply of medical cannabis.
In 2015, HB 490 revised HB 881. Patients were now required to enroll in an academic research program in order to quality for medical cannabis; additionally, it shielded individuals convicted of non-violent misdemeanors from specific criminal records requests. SB 517 was also passed in 2015. It decriminalized the possession of cannabis paraphernalia.
In 2016, HB 104 was passed. This bill gave dentists, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives the ability to issue certification on behalf of qualifying patients.
In 2017, the medical cannabis program in Maryland became fully operational. The first dispensaries opened their doors to Marylanders. The Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) oversees all licensing, registration, inspection, and testing measures related to Maryland’s medical cannabis program. The MMCC is also responsible for guiding patients, caregivers, providers, growers, dispensers, processors, testing laboratories, and caregivers.
Sixteen members constitute the MMCC. Fifteen are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor, and one serves ex officio. The Commission established a framework to certify health care providers, including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, and nurse-midwives within the state. Written certifications are also provided to qualifying patients and their caregivers. House Bill 881 established the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, along with rules for the cultivation, possession, sale, and consumption of medical cannabis.[2]
Registered patients and their designated caregivers are allowed to obtain and possess up to a 30-day supply of cannabis. Personal cultivation is prohibited currently within the state. There are no explicit qualifying medical conditions in Maryland under House Bill 881/Senate Bill 923; instead, physicians must apply for permission to write recommendations for conditions they specify, although the Commission may add explicit qualifying conditions via rulemaking.[3]
Over the next two years, Maryland's medical marijuana sector expanded significantly; by September 2019, Maryland had 18 licensed growers, 85 licensed dispensaries, and 70,000 registered patients (slightly more than 1% of the state's total population). As of October 1st, 2020, there are over 117,000 patients in the state of Maryland.[4]
Four Green Fields opened its doors in November 2018. We are proud to be part of Maryland’s medical cannabis history!
If you have questions about the patient registration process, please stop by or schedule a virtual consultation with a Patient Advocate!