Bill to legalize medical use of marijuana advances in Senate

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland senators have advanced a bill that would legalize medical marijuana.

Senators backed a procedural move on Friday that will allow a final vote on the measure.

The proposal would allow pharmacies to distribute marijuana to patients who receive authorization from a physician with whom they have had ongoing medical relationships. It would also re-categorize marijuana as a highly regulated pain medication like morphine instead of keeping it in the same category of drugs like heroin.

The bill has bipartisan support. An aide to House Speaker Michael Busch says members of a House group studying a similar bill will probably hold it for review during the months before next year's session, meaning the measure is not likely to become law this year.