Medical marijuana moves closer to reality in Maryland

Rules an regulations for Maryland's medical marijuana program were released last week, and are open for public comment until July 27th. The current draft of the bill allows for plant and liquid forms of marijuana, but not edibles. The state could start accepting applications for marijuana grow and dispensing licenses as early as September, and the programs may be ready for patients by the middle of next year. Maryland will be one of the only states requiring doctors to register to write referrals for marijuana, but will not require them to go through training to do so as some have suggested.

Any doctor in good standing would be able to refer patients, but Morhaim expected the most interest from those who treat pain, cancer and other devastating diseases.

As with any other drug, doctors would follow the latest research to ensure that marijuana is appropriate for each patient. Doctors would be able to certify patients to get the drug from a dispensary.