Medical Marijuana Panel May Vote On Regulations
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Medical marijuana could soon be available in Maryland. The rules for handling the drug were discussed Tuesday.
Tracey Leong has the details.
Interested growers, patients and health advocates packed the meeting, all interested in hearing when those regulations would be finalized for medical marijuana.
"Make a world of difference to many patients and kids," said Gail Rand.
Rand addressed the panel as an advocate who's fighting for her five-year-old son, who has epilepsy.
"The seizures he suffers from are horrific. Logan has drop seizures, so he often hits his face and it does a lot of damage. Anything I can do to reduce his seizures is important," she said.
And she wasn't alone in her request.
"I am a 40-year cancer survivor and the last four years is how I discovered marijuana and it absolutely helps me in my need," said patient advocate Cary Myers.
Many supporters of medical marijuana are anxious to get a firm deadline on the regulations.
"A pretty significant number of patients in the state of Maryland that can benefit from this," said medical marijuana lobbyist Darrell Carrington.
The medical marijuana committee is working to finalize the rules of operation.
"It's a very exciting time and we can't wait to get the regulations out and the programs up and running so the people in Maryland can get their medical marijuana," said medical marijuana committee chair Paul Davis.
Several new updates have been added to the draft, including the use of cannabis extracts and to have a medical director at dispensaries. Earlier this year, lawmakers authorized 15 growers. Many people hoped to get the opportunity.
"We got to do this for the need of the public," Davis said.
The draft of the regulations will be available online in a few days.
Another meeting will be held November 13 where they plan to present the final regulations.
Once these regulations are voted on, they still need to be approved by the state secretary of health and mental hygiene and the attorney general's office.
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