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Maryland Joins But Does Not Legalise

23 May 2003

by Anai Rhoads
Veriana Media

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 68.6 million people - which makes up 32% of the U.S. population, had experimented with marijuana or hashish at least once; 5% of which were current users. The research was based on those age 12 and older.

While some used marijuana for leisure, there were many who found the plant to possess unique healing properties. Among the many uses marijuana has provided, the most commonly reported relief revolved around the follow list:

• nausea
• vomiting
• wasting syndrome
• pain
• glaucoma
• decreased neurological symptoms
• lessened muscle tension and spastic activity

The most notable benefit of marijuana was found with patients who, due to illness, were unable to stimulate appetite. Those suffering from cancer and AIDS sought marijuana to trigger hunger and gain the weight they had shed off from the onset of illness.

Maryland has now become one of nine states to reduce penalties for those using the drug for medicinal purposes. The other states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, but in those states marijuana is legal for medical purposes. HIV/AIDS and cancer are the two most recognised illnesses that the state will allow limited possession.

Although the bill was pushed by (R) Governor Robert Ehrlich into enforcement by the Bush administration this week, the law itself will not take effect until October 1, 2003. Those who smoke marijuana will be spared jail time and fined no more than $100.00. Normally, those caught with possession face time and a $1,000.00 fine in the state of Maryland.

[1] SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). 1998. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: Population Estimates 1997. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 98-3250. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies.

© Copyright 2003 Anai Rhoads. Permission to reprint this article in its entirety or to obtain proper licence, please contact Veriana.org