Maryland has taken "a small but significant step" toward removing criminal penalties for medical marijuana use, says state Del. Dan Morhaim, who represents Reisterstown.

Last week, the state Senate voted in favor of a bill that provides a new defense for residents who use marijuana for medical reasons. The House had already approved the bill and Gov. Martin O'Malley's aides said he would sign it, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. The bill, SB 308, lets patients with certain debilitating conditions, including cancer and multiple sclerosis, avoid a $100 fine and misdemeanor conviction when charged with 'non-public' use or possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

Some proponents say the bill doesn't go far enough because patients still have to obtain marijuana illegally and go through the court system if arrested. "In the legislature, progress often comes in small steps, and this is a small but significant step in the right direction," said Morhaim, the House sponsor of the bill. "We still have a long way to go to where I'd like us to be."

Morhaim, who practices medicine outside of his legislative duties, would like to see marijuana treated like any other medicine and allow doctors to prescribe it. "There are dangerous drugs that are prescribed all the time in context of their use," he said.

The bill also calls for a work group that will consist of medical, legal and law enforcement experts. The group will recommend legislation next year.

Baltimore County Police spokesman Lt. Robert McCullough said the department's responsibility is to enforce the law and it has not experienced any change in policy in regard to the medical marijuana bill.

"We do recognize that this an emerging issue," he said via email. "However, there have been no current discussions. In addition, there are no documents pertaining to discussions about the issue." While some advocacy groups say that the bill is a step in the right direction, they say more legislation is needed.