Now that the legalization of medical marijuana has past the legislature, the state has left it up to the counties to set their own regulations how marijuana grow and selling operations work in their county.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh has now weighed in on how he feels about medical marijuana in his county and will offer his bill to the county council.
“I believe the Maryland law is a Trojan horse that introduces the recreational use of marijuana on a wide scale bases to this county if we were to adopt a permissive approach to medical marijuana,” Schuh said.
The county executive added he does not want to stop anyone from getting medical marijuana if they need it for any illness. But they won't get it in Anne Arundel County if he has his way. He says he doesn't want any growing operations or distributors in his jurisdictions.
Schuh also takes issue with the amount of medical marijuana afforded to individuals with legitimate medical issues under Maryland’s law.
“The equivalent to eight to 10 joints a day, 200 to 300 joints a monthly to a single prescription. That is an invitation to selling and also an invitation to crime,” he said.
Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare says having $2,000 to $3,000 worth of marijuana can lead to even more serious crimes than selling.
“We have a fairly robust criminal element in this state that will kill somebody for $50 or $100 or $500. So when you talk about the value of that product walking out, I think it is like putting blood in the water for sharks,” Altomare said.
Schuh will offer his legislation to the County Council next Monday night.
