A committee hearing was held on Thursday in the Maryland State Senate on a medical marijuana bill. According to the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP):

Sponsored by Frederick County Republican Sen. David Brinkley, the bill would allow pharmacies or other state-regulated outlets to dispense medical marijuana to patients who receive a recommendation from their doctor.

The bill number is SB 627. There is a companion bill in the House of Delegates.

Brinkley has some very personal motivations for sponsoring the legislation. From Americans for Safe Access website, Feb. 18:

"This isn't an ideological issue, it's a compassion issue," argued Senator David Brinkley, R-Frederick, who is also backing the bill.

Brinkley, a cancer survivor, believes the option should at least be on the table. "If ever we reach the threshold of what medicine can deliver, [we should] ensure there's some type of alternative treatment."

Note - Brinkley is a former firefighter. He's been in the legislature since 1995.

Editor's Note - This is a developing story. We are in touch with pro-marijuana decriminalization activists in Maryland who attended the committee hearing, and hope to have a full report of the proceedings over the weekend. Stay tuned...