Some Maryland companies engaging in MMJ scams

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Scammers are trying to take advantage of Maryland’s new medical marijuana program by offering patients phony pre-approvals and bogus MMJ cards, which could create an air of mistrust around the state’s emerging cannabis industry.

Maryland has not yet given doctors the green light to begin recommending medical cannabis, and there is no such thing as a pre-approval for patients, a representative from the Maryland Cannabis Industry Association told the Baltimore Sun.

The state reportedly has already received some 20 inquiries regarding suspect claims from so-called cannabis businesses.

While doctors can now sign up to participate in the program, the patient registry won’t open for at least a few weeks and possibly several months, according to the Sun.

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, the state’s marijuana regulatory body, has handed out preliminary licenses for cultivation, processing and dispensary operations, but none of the licenses are final.