WASHINGTON – As Maryland’s legislature loosened its marijuana laws Monday, it opened up the process to create a medicinal marijuana system in the state.
But it will take a while.
Many families wanting access to medicinal marijuana have to wait more than a year for the state’s system to be set up.
After Maryland’s marijuana legislation passed Monday, Gail Rand said she was thrilled. Her 4-year-old son suffers from daily epileptic seizures that can be calmed, she says even improved, with the use of medicinal marijuana.
“Sometimes he’s injured from his seizures. So if he has a seizure and he happens to be at the top of the stairs, it could be very dangerous,” Rand says.
Now that it’s law, the state’s member-appointed Medical Marijuana Commission, has to decide how the system will work.
“I think Maryland has been able to benefit from the experience in other states,” says Dr. Paul Davies, the commission’s chair.
The commission has to approve doctors, growers, depository locations and how it will all be regulated.
He’s optimistic the state’s medical marijuana access will be up and running within the next 12 to 18 months.
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