Maryland Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Legislation

The Maryland Senate passed legislation to expand the state's medical marijuana law, allowing patients access to marijuana if it is recommended by a specialized physician.

The Senate voted 45-1 to pass Senate Bill 923. Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-Pasadena, was the lone vote against the legislation.

The Senate vote comes after the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee made substantial changes to the measure earlier this week.

One of the biggest changes made by the committee removes a cap of 10 growers in the state to produce marijuana for people who have received a recommendation to receive it by a certified doctor. The Senate panel also set a two-year term for a license for growers, rather than a five-year term under the House bill.

The legislation is likely to go to a House-Senate conference committee.

The Judicial Proceedings Committee voted to pass House Bill 881, the House's version of the legislation, on Thursday. But before passing the legislation, the committee amended the bill to conform with its version.

The conference committee will be tasked to work out differences between the House and the Senate versions of the legislation. A resolution must come between to the two chambers by the end of the last day of the General Assembly's 90-day session on April 7.