Victorious Republican says it was a "libertarian cause"

The final vote was 35 to 12. The Maryland State Senate passed the legislation co-sponsored by a Republican State Senator, to legalize marijuana for medicinal use.

From the Baltimore Sun:

"We are very happy," said Mike Meno, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, a national organization promoting medical use of pot. "To vote by such a margin means that the Senate is in line with public sentiment nationally and here in Maryland."

Senators from both parties supported the measure, which builds on a Maryland law passed in 2003 that allows leniency to defendants charged with marijuana possession if they can show a medical need.

"I think the Senate recognized the plight of people who have sick and chronic conditions," said Sen. David Brinkley, one of the lead sponsors and two-time cancer survivor. The Western Maryland Republican said he views the issue as a libertarian cause.

The House will not take up the bill this year due to scheduling.

Note - MD Republican for Governor, fmr. Gov. Bob Ehrlich is on record in support of medical marijuana.