Medical Cannabis Law in MD

House Bill 490 signed by Governor Hogan​
On May 12, 2015, Governor Larry Hogan signed H.B. 490, https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/bills/hb/hb0490E.pdf , a bill introduced by Delegates Morhaim and Glenn and passed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly. The legislation makes a number of revisions to the Maryland medical marijuana law. The first change was to replace the unscientific term, “marijuana,” with the appropriate scientific term, “Cannabis,” and to rename the Commission. The provisions for “academic medical centers” that had been the centerpiece of the 2013 medical marijuana law have been eliminated. The role of physicians is revised from being “approved” by the Commission to being “registered” with the Commission, and only physicians who have active, unrestricted licenses in good standing with the Maryland Board of Physicians may be registered and may issue written certifications to patients.
The Commission may not limit treatment of a particular medical condition to one class of physicians. The new law authorizes the Commission to license entities to process medical Cannabis, such as producing extracts for various routes of administration. The law also provides for the registration of testing laboratories that are owned and operated independently of any of the Cannabis licensees to test all medical Cannabis products before dispensing to any patient. The initial license terms of licenses for growers, processors and dispensaries are set at four years with two year renewal terms. The controls for licensed dispensaries were modified to track those for licensed growers. The new law permits a physician to issue a written certification for a larger quantity of medical Cannabis if a 30-day supply of medical Cannabis would be inadequate to meet the medical needs of a qualifying patient. The new law clarifies that vaporization is not smoking for the purpose of protecting property owners and neighboring tenants from unwanted Cannabis smoke.

MD Cannabis Law Summary
Status-Not Yet Operational
Law Signed:2014
QUALIFYING CONDITIONS-Cachexia, Anorexia, or Wasting Syndrome
Chronic Pain, Nausea, Seizures, Severe or persistent muscle spasms
anything condition that is severe, for which other medical treatments have been ineffective, and if the symptoms "reasonably can be expected to be relieved: by the medical use of cannabis."
PATIENT POSSESSION LIMITS-30 day supply. No more than 120 grams/month. 36 grams/month in extract concentrated form. Edible forms of cannabis are not permitted. Tinctures, oils, ointments, lotions, and extracts are. Extracts can be made to be added to food by the patient. Warning and dosages should be very easy to see on all extracts.
DISPENSARY-the dispensary must check the Commission website to confirm that the patient has a "written certification" and confirm the patients identity. The dispensary must record how much medical cannabis has been dispensed to the patient. Seed to sale tracking. Patient can choose to get an id card or not. It is not needed.A patient can go to a dispensary of their choice. No payed to commission to register or obtain cannabis. Dispensaries do not have to pay to check on written certification. Dispensaries do not recognize other states with medical cannabis id cards.
State law does not limit dispensaries but the Commission is proposing that there be no more than two dispensaries located in each of the 47 districts of md
Dispensaries will be permitted to supply devices to administer medical cannabis.,
Delivery services are also allowed.
Subject to state inspection.
Consumption not allowed on the premises
Patient must sign wavier stating they are not immune from any prohibition on smoking cannabis in a public place or in a motor vehicle, or on private property where the owner is an ass.

HOME CULTIVATION-No

CAREGIVERS-Only appointed by patients. unknown if patient can have a care giver and dispensary. caregiver is allowed only 5 patients. Must be registered with the Commissions website.

RECIPROCITY-No

CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission

MARYLAND MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE​

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission envisions the Medical Cannabis Program will be implemented as follows. Specific dates are yet to be determined and will be based on final adoption of the Regulations. Updates will be posted when available.
September
- Anticipated adoption of Maryland Medical Cannabis Regulations.
- Applications (and instructions) for Growers, Processors and Dispensaries are posted to the Commission website.
- Stage 1 application period begins.
Mid-October - November
- Stage 1 application period closes for Grower, Processor and Dispensary Applications.
December - January
- Review of Stage 1 applications is completed and license pre-approvals announced by the Commission.
- Registries for Physicians, Patients and Caregivers are available.
2016
Stage 1 Awardees: Each applicant issued a Stage 1 license approval has 365 days to complete all necessary steps to obtain a license and to request final inspection by the Commission.
Steps to be completed could include raising capital, acquiring real estate, securing local zoning approvals, construction of premises, installation of all equipment and systems, and hiring and training of staff.
Spring – Summer
The Commission will conduct Stage 2 reviews and final inspection on a rolling basis as Stage 1 awardees complete the required preparations for obtaining a license.
The Commission anticipates medical cannabis could become available to patients in the second half of 2016.

These are my notes concerning the law in MD. Hope it helps some people out. Links to the site and the law itself are above. Enjoy!!
 
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