MARIJUANA;

MARIJUANA;

You asked for information on a recently enacted Maryland law on the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The “Darrell Putnam Compassionate Use Act” (HB 702, Chapter 442), signed into law by Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich on May 22, 2003, basically relaxes sanctions on those using marijuana for medical purposes. This law, which takes effect October 1, 2003, allows a person charged with possession or use of marijuana to introduce evidence of medical necessity and, if the court finds medical necessity, to be fined a maximum of only $ 100 if convicted. It also subjects a person using or possessing drug paraphernalia related to marijuana to the same maximum $ 100 fine if the court finds medical necessity.

Maryland law presently provides for penalties for up to a year in prison, a $ 1,000 fine, or both for marijuana possession. For drug paraphernalia use or possession, the penalties are a $ 500 fine for a first offense and for each subsequent violation, a prison for a term of up to two years, a $ 2,000 fine, or both.