Friday, May 30, 2014
Robert Lang
A number of new laws take effect in Maryland on Sunday.
One of the most notable laws is the measure to expand medical marijuana in Maryland.
The legislation passed this year, and signed by Governor Martin O’Malley last month, expands on a 2013 medical marijuana law that allowed academic medical centers to dispense medical marijuana to patients. None of those centers in Maryland enrolled in the program.
The legislation passed this year allows doctors to recommend marijuana to patients. The marijuana could be made available through one of 15 licensed growers and dispensaries.
Dr. Paul Davies, who chairs Maryland’s medical marijuana commission says this new law is a “big improvement” in that it improves the availability of marijuana to critically ill patients.
Davies says the marijuana would not be available to patients until late next year, at the earliest.
He says the commission has until September 15 to draft regulations. Those regulations would have to be approved by state officials, and that review would take four to six months. he says the grower’s licenses would be awarded and the Mariana would be grown.
Davies told WBAL News that there is plenty of interest from potential growers who want to participate in Maryland’s program.
New Speed Camera Restrictions Taking Effect
Another law taking effect on Sunday will place restrictions on school zone speed cameras.
Within three years it will ban speed camera vendors form being paid a commission on each ticket issued by a camera.
The law also requires any jurisdiction with a school zone speed camera to have an ombudsman, to review individual tickets, and complaints that any camera ticket is inaccurate.
The measure applies to all local jurisdictions that have speed cameras, including Baltimore City.
The city’s program has been suspended for the last year after audits found the camera equipment used was inaccurate, and motorists were getting tickets even though they were not speeding.
The law allows speed cameras to snap pictures of vehicles whose driver are traveling at least 12 m.p.h. above the posted speed limit.
Motorists receive a $40 fine, but no points on their license, for each ticket.
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Medical Marijuana Law, Speed Camera Restrictions Take Effect On Sunday
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