cannabisnews.com: Bill That Would Allow MMJ Use To Be Introduced Bill That Would Allow MMJ Use To Be Introduced Posted by FoM on January 22, 2000 at 07:54:19 PT Assembly Digest Source: Sun Spot A bipartisan group of legislators plans to introduce a bill next week that would prohibit state and local law enforcement officials from prosecuting people who use marijuana if their doctors have recommended it for medical reasons.The measure would allow doctors to recommend smoking marijuana to alleviate the symptoms or effects of illnesses such as glaucoma and cancer. Del. Donald E. Murphy, a Baltimore County Republican and chief sponsor, said the bill is intended for people who would be helped by marijuana but do not get relief from medicines derived from it. "They should be able to get relief from the raw plant," Murphy said. He said he is prepared for strong opposition from some members of the legislature.Glendening will propose funds for drug program: Gov. Parris N. Glendening said yesterday that he will propose money in a supplemental budget to fund a pilot program in Baltimore that would offer treatment and support for drug addicts.The announcement came after a 1 1/2-hour meeting attended by the governor, Mayor Martin O'Malley and members of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), a coalition of religious and civic leaders dedicated to improving life in the city.BUILD wants to open 10 transitional houses that would offer such services as drug treatment and job assistance. The organization said it would release details of the project and its cost in 30 days.Study finds wide variety in Md. sentencing practices: Judges across Maryland hand down widely varying sentences in seemingly similar cases, a state commission on criminal sentencing has found.According to a report presented to legislators this week, sentences fall below state guidelines in 18 percent to 22 percent of cases in Eastern Shore counties, compared with 70.6 percent of criminal cases in Baltimore. In Baltimore County, 2.4 percent of criminal sentences exceed the nonbinding guidelines. Western Maryland judges impose sentences that exceed the guidelines more than 17 percent of the time.Court of Appeals Judge Andrew L. Sonner presented the figures to the House Judiciary Committee. Sonner chairs the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, which was created in July to look at sentencing policies.From Staff & Wire ReportsOriginally published on Jan 22 2000 The Baltimore SunCannabis News Medical Marijuana Archives:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on January 22, 2000 at 08:35:36 PT Marylanders, here's your chance! OK, all you fellow denizens of 'Maerlind'! Here it is: a chance to let your officials know Murphy is not alone in his brave stand on MMJ. Write to your State delegates (and yes, I *did*) and let 'em know how you feel! He's already stood up the the Hypocrite House - oops, I mean, the White House - and has told them to stick it. Show ol' Billy Boy and his handmaiden Barry the Two-Faced that he might be able to deny DC democracy because of the weird status it has, but this time he has to take on a State Legislature largely run by Democrats *whose constituents are clamboring for MMJ* (hint, hint). And literally right in their own back yard.This is too good to pass up. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: