Photo via Shutterstock

Photo via Shutterstock

With only hours left in its annual legislative session, the Maryland Senate today gave approval to a bill that would legalize medical marijuana. The bill, which was passed by the House of Delegates and given preliminary approval by the Senate late last week, now goes to Gov. Martin O’Malley for his signature.

Under the provisions of the bill, a state commission would be created to oversee medical marijuana programs at universities and medical research centers that choose to take part. Patients with qualifying conditions would be able to obtain marijuana grown by the federal government or state-licensed growers.

Earlier this year Maryland’s Health Secretary Joshua Sharfstein said he supported the bill. Two years ago legislators passed a bill allowing for an affirmative defense in marijuana possession cases; individuals with medical conditions could invoke those conditions in defense of their possession and use of marijuana.

If O’Malley signs the bill, Maryland will join D.C. in allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes. All told, 19 states have medical marijuana programs.

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