Politics & Government

Baltimore County Delegate on Marijuana: 'Public Opinion Has Changed'

Delegate Dan Morhaim sponsored the bill to allow medical marijuana distribution in Maryland.

By Lucas High, Hannah Anderson, Amber Larkins, Julia Maldonado, Ethan Rosenberg and Jessica Wilde, CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE

Before the Maryland General Assembly came to a close this week, both chambers passed a measure allowing academic medical centers to distribute medical marijuana to patients who suffer from debilitating chronic illnesses.

Delegate Dan Morhaim, D-Baltimore County, was the bill’s sponsor.

Find out what's happening in Essex-Middle Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I think the public opinion has changed on this across the political spectrum. People understand that if somebody's sick, they deserve medication,” Morhaim said.

Morhaim said Sinai Hospital in Baltimore has already expressed interest in the program. The General Assembly also passed a measure that would expand the affirmative legal defense to caregivers.

Find out what's happening in Essex-Middle Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Despite their success passing medical marijuana, the General Assembly struggled to push legalization measures.

A bill that would have decriminalized marijuana possession for less than 10 grams passed in the Senate, but never made it out of the House Judiciary Committee. Similarly, another that would have taxed marijuana sales like alcohol never left the House Judiciary Committee.

What do you think about legalization of medical marijuana distribution? Tell us in the comments!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Essex-Middle River