Conferences & Symposia

Balancing Science and Politics: The Challenges of Implementing Medical Marijuana Laws

Co-Sponsored by the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s Law & Health Care Program, Network for Public Health Law, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Conference Videos:

• Morning Session Part I
• Morning Session Part II
• Lunch Session
• Afternoon Session

To date, 17 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws decriminalizing the use of medical marijuana and a number of other states are considering such measures. Each of these jurisdictions has taken a different legislative and regulatory approach to decriminalization, resulting in a patchwork of laws across the nation.  On April 13, 2012, the University of Maryland Schools of Law and Pharmacy are co-sponsoring a one-day conference to discuss the legal and policy issues that confront states that have passed medical marijuana decriminalization statutes, including:

• Preemption Issues in State Decriminalization Efforts
• Legal Issues Relating to Marijuana Dispensaries
• Public Health Implications of Medical Marijuana Decriminalization
• Monitoring and Medical Marijuana in Health Care Facilities

During the final session of the conference, conference organizers will host an interactive discussion in which conference participants will discuss what the ideal elements of a model medical marijuana decriminalization law might include. 

The goal of the conference is to bring together state regulators, public health officials, legal academics, health scientists and academics, legislators and others to discuss lessons learned from efforts to decriminalize medical marijuana over the past several years and recommendations for future legislative efforts in this area.  For more information contact Virginia Rowthorn at vrowthorn@law.umaryland.edu

Conference Organizers:

• Diane Hoffmann, J.D., M.S., Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Director, Law and Health Care Program and Professor of Law
• Francis B. Palumbo, Ph.D., J.D., Professor & Executive Director, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Center on Drugs & Public Policy
• Kathleen Dachille, J.D., Law School Associate Professor and Director, The Legal Resource Center for Tobacco Regulation, Litigation and Advocacy
• Francoise Pradel, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
• Linda Simoni-Wastila Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

The conference will take place at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law at 500 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Direction and Parking Info:  http://www.law.umaryland.edu/about/directions.html

• Agenda
• Speakers
• Presentation Materials