Md. gov likely to block medical marijuana

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley would probably veto medical marijuana because of conflicts with federal laws, a spokeswoman says. Three bills to legalize marijuana in the state for medical purposes have been introduced in the House of Delegates, The Baltimore Sun reported. A committee hearing is scheduled for Friday. "We have some serious concerns about liability," the governor's spokeswoman, Raquel Guillory, said. "Those concerns were raised by U.S. attorneys across the country. Based on those concerns, it is probably likely we would veto any legislation." Marijuana use is illegal under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. The office of state Attorney General Dan Gansler warned of the conflict in a letter to one of the sponsors of the Maryland bills. "The federal law prohibits use and possession of marijuana, as well as distribution and manufacture, without regard to whether the marijuana is ultimately used to treat a medical condition," Assistant Attorney General Kathryn M. Rowe said.