Did you know in 1619 the Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp? Hemp was allowed to be exchanged as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.  As of May 2, 2013 Maryland state governor Martin O’Malley signed the HB1101 bill creating a hospital-based medical marijuana program. So much media coverage has been diverted to the burgeoning marijuana industry but most citizens are still left in the dark about how these progressive decisions will affect their everyday lives. HB1101 has made the state of Maryland the 19th state to ratify such a bill but do you know how this will affect your rights?

Don’t expect Maryland to resemble any of the more progressive westward states such as California, Colorado or Washington in their marijuana regulations or dispensary culture anytime soon. According to some state analysts a marijuana program would not be up and running until 2016. It is highly doubtful you’ll see any dispensaries popping up by your local CVS store in the next year or two. However, Marylanders have gained a substantial amount of leeway in their personal rights and the dispelling of anti-marijuana propaganda since the 1920’s.

“Under the current law, a person in possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana faces a misdemeanor charge, up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A conviction for possession of over 10 grams can result in up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, two other bills, HB 180 and SB 580, also represent another step forward in Maryland and these twin bills have also been signed into law. This law provides medical marijuana caregivers with an affirmative defense when a caregiver is charged with simple possession of marijuana, similar to the medical necessity defense available now for medical marijuana patients. A caregiver only qualifies if the patient previously designated the caregiver in writing, and the designation is in his or her medical record. Caregivers must also meet other conditions. This change in the law goes into effect June 1, 2013,” according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

“SB 580 does not protect medical marijuana caregivers from arrest, however it does allow those caregivers of medical marijuana patients who are arrested for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana to present a