Maryland health official backs medical marijuana bill

3/9/13 By Brian Witte

The official said Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration has changed its position from last year because the federal government has not brought charges against any state employees involved with distributing medical marijuana.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland's health secretary has expressed support for a measure to allow medical marijuana in the state.

Secretary Joshua Sharfstein told lawmakers on Friday that Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration has changed its position from last year. He said that's because the federal government has not brought charges against any state employees in other states who may have been involved with distributing medical marijuana.

Last year, the administration didn't support a similar proposal, citing concerns about potential federal prosecution of state employees.

Sharfstein says the administration is supporting the bill sponsored by Democratic Delegate Dan Morhaim of Baltimore County, with some amendments.

The bill would create a commission to oversee the program at academic medical centers. Morhaim says it would be "the tightest and most controlled of any state" medical marijuana program.

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