Maryland Criminal Law Section 5-102

      (a)      The General Assembly finds that:

            (1)      many of the substances listed in this title have a useful and legitimate medical purpose and are necessary to maintain the health and general welfare of the people of the State; but

            (2)      the illegal manufacture, distribution, possession, and administration of controlled dangerous substances have a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and general welfare of the people of the State.

      (b)      (1)      The purpose of this title is to establish a uniform law to control the manufacture, distribution, possession, and administration of controlled dangerous substances and related paraphernalia to:

                  (i)      ensure their availability for legitimate medical and scientific purposes; but

                  (ii)      prevent their abuse, which results in a serious health problem to the individual and represents a serious danger to the welfare of the people of the State.

            (2)      This title shall be liberally construed to accomplish this purpose.