If you are arrested or ticketed for a marijuana drug charge, you should hire an experienced criminal lawyer or drug lawyer near Annapolis . Criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience navigating the stateâs complex drug laws and building strong cases against DUIs, drug charges, drug crimes, and traffic violations. Here is a closer look at Marylandâs marijuana-related drug laws.
Drug Laws Controlling Personal Medical Marijuana Use
Maryland drug laws allow residents to use medical marijuana to treat a variety of chronic or debilitating illnesses. You will be protected from prosecution for drug charges if you have a valid medical marijuana prescription from a licensed physician. In order to qualify for a medical marijuana prescription, you must prove that you are a resident of Maryland, and that you suffer from a chronic or debilitating condition like nausea, seizures, chronic pain, or muscle spasms. A physician will provide a written certification of your condition for use when submitting your application for a medical marijuana card to the Medical Marijuana Commission and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can only purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries and smoke it in your own home. Individuals who are not permitted to use medical marijuana will be charged a small fine for possession of amounts less than 10 grams. Possession of larger quantities, illegal distribution, and intent to distribute are all much more serious crimes with higher potential penalties, including incarceration and significant fines.
Drug Laws Governing Medical Marijuana Physicians
Marijuana physicians must be licensed by the state to provide medical marijuana prescriptions to patients who qualify under Marylandâs drug laws. Physicians must submit all prescription proposals to the stateâs Medical Marijuana Commission. The Commission can approve or deny prescription proposals.
Drug Laws Pertaining to Medical Marijuana Growers, Processors, and Dispensaries
Growers, processors, and dispensaries must obtain a license from the state of Maryland. They must then choose a physical location for their operation based upon the stateâs zoning regulations and drug laws. If they are not in compliance, they may face drug charges that require hiring an experienced drug lawyer.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.