LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SPLIT ON BILL

A medical marijuana bill in the General Assembly this session is sparking
concern among some in Carroll County law enforcement.

The bill is designed to let doctors prescribe marijuana to specific
patients who are participating in a program. An oversight board would keep
tabs on patients' progress and the health benefits and risks. Using the
drug would continue to be a criminal offense in Maryland for those who do
not qualify for the program.

But Jerry Barnes, Carroll County state's attorney, said the problem with
the bill is that marijuana is still federally illegal. And since the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Agency regulates prescriptions, doctors cannot prescribe
the drug legally.

He said synthetic alternatives to marijuana exist that can mimic any
soothing effects the drug might have.

He said he worries about people being able to use a medical reason for
smoking marijuana because of the fraudulent possibilities it opens up.

He said it would present a situation that could result in abuse.

Under a bill that failed to pass the state Senate last year, marijuana
would still be illegal, but people who could prove a medical defense would
only have to pay a $100 fine. Sen. David R. Brinkley, R-Carroll/Frederick,
was a co-sponsor of that bill, and is co-sponsoring the new bill, as well.

The new bill would give participants a card, valid for one year, which
would protect them from marijuana possession charges in Maryland.

Someone caught with marijuana today would be charged with possession of a
controlled dangerous substance and could face a year in jail and a $1,000
fine. Carroll County Sheriff Kenneth Tregoning said at first glance, he
does not support legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes.

He said modern medical research should be able to come up with something
that relieves suffering or discomfort as well as marijuana does.

Maj. Dean Brewer of the Westminster City police said he can see the point
of giving marijuana to people in pain, if it relieves suffering.

Capt. Randy Barnes of the Westminster City police said he doesn't have a
problem with a drug that's used to help sick people.

But, both Barnes and Brewer said they agreed on the fact that once that
drug is abused, then the police have to get involved.

Randy Barnes said in that case, it would be the same as any other
prescription drug that is prescribed to someone else and then sold for profit.

He said there are laws right now that prohibit selling prescription drugs
without a prescription.

Carroll County Circuit Court Judge Raymond E. Beck Sr. takes a different
view. He said he thinks the legalization of marijuana for medical use sends
the wrong message to impressionable young people.

He said they don't think about the fact it's for terminally ill people, but
could be easily led to think the drug isn't harmful.

But, in Beck's experience, it is very harmful. He calls it a threshold
drug, and said he's never seen anyone before him facing possession charges
who started out on cocaine or heroin - it's always marijuana.

He points to a recent study by the Journal of the American Medical
Association, which said people who use marijuana by age 17 had higher odds
of using harder drugs. The study was conducted on identical twins in
Australia. The study concluded that early access to and use of marijuana
seems to reduce reluctance to try other drugs.

And, Beck said, people think it won't hurt them, until they're hopelessly
hooked on cocaine or heroin.