Browsing Maryland

Recreational marijuana for adult-use purposes is set to become legal in Maryland after voters in the state voted in favor of approving a ballot measure that will allow for the possession of small amounts of cannabis. With the passage of the ballot measure, adults who are at least 21 years old will be allowed to use and possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana or up to two marijuana plants. The measure will go into effect beginning on July 1, 2023. Under Maryland’s current legislature, possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana is considered a civil offense and is …

Although Eugene Monroe is a three-time Pro-Bowl football player, he isn’t exactly well known, especially outside the NFL – that is until now. In Baltimore, he is known as one of the guys who keeps Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco from being annihilated by defensive ends. Recently, Monroe is getting more attention in the public after becoming the first active NFL player to openly advocate for the use of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain and head injuries. Monroe has donated $80,000 to Realm of Caring, an advocacy group that is working with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, …

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland officially became the 21st state to allow medicinal marijuana on Monday. Further, it became the 18th state in the country to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, despite its rough path to approval earlier this month. Governor O’Malley Signs Decriminalization Measure Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley approved Senate Bill 364 (SB 364), making possession for those caught with less than 10 grams of cannabis a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $100. This move has made Maryland the …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — After making some revisions to the initiative, the Maryland House of Delegates approved a measure to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis in a 78-55 vote Saturday. As previously reported, Senate Bill 364 would remove any criminal penalties for the possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis. Instead, offenders would be subject to a civil fine of up to $100. Maryland House Advances Senate Bill 364 Despite its success Saturday, it has not been all smooth sailing for Senate Bill 364 – a fact that Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — As one of the 14 states currently considering medical marijuana bills in legislative sessions, Maryland could be the next state to legalize medical marijuana. The Maryland Senate voted 45-1 in favor of Senate Bill 923 – an initiative that would do just that. This approval came after its third reading of the bill, and now the amended bill will go to the Maryland House for consideration. They approved a similar bill earlier this month. Maryland Senate Approves Amended Medical Marijuana Bill Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin introduced Senate Bill 923, which was …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Continuing the wave of cannabis policy reform that has been working its way across the east coast as of late, the Maryland Senate voted 36-8 Friday in favor of decriminalizing small amounts of cannabis in the state. As reported last week, Senate Bill 364 would remove criminal penalties for limited cannabis possession. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Howard). “SB 364 is a strong step towards ending the ineffective and destructive prohibition of marijuana,” explains Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Just a couple days after Washington DC’s City Council voted to decriminalize cannabis, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approved a similar measure in an 8-3 vote Friday. Co-sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Howard), Senate Bill 364 would remove criminal penalties for limited cannabis possession. Instead, such infractions will be subject to a $100 fine. “Criminalizing adults for marijuana possession will not make Maryland safer, but this legislation will,” said Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Law enforcement officials should spend their time addressing …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — In a press conference held Thursday, Senator Jamie Raskin (D), Delegate Curt Anderson (D), and Delegate Sheila Hixson (D) launched an effort to pass a bill that would legalize cannabis for adult-use. “We got ourselves out of alcohol prohibition by regulating and taxing the product, and we should employ the same exit strategy with marijuana.” – Sen. Jamie Raskin “Our experiment with marijuana prohibition has failed,” Sen. Raskin explains. “We got ourselves out of alcohol prohibition by regulating and taxing the product, and we should employ the same exit strategy with marijuana.” Also announced Thursday …

Maryland Gubernatorial Candidate Backs Legalization Heather R. Mizeur, a Democratic candidate in Maryland’s upcoming gubernatorial election, is calling for legal cannabis regulations in the state. She is preparing a proposal that discusses how Maryland could oversee the cultivation and distribution of cannabis. Under Mizeur’s plan, it would be legal for an adult to possess up to an ounce of cannabis grown in secure Maryland facilities. Nonetheless, smoking in public and driving under the influence would still be illegal. “Marijuana is safer than alcohol and tobacco,” she said in an interview with the …

Goucher Poll Reveals Support For New Policies According to the results of a recently released Goucher Poll, 91% of respondents believe that the consequences of possessing small amounts amounts of cannabis should focus less on jail time. Instead, they suggest the institution of rehab provisions, fines, or some other policy. “89.7% of participants were in support of medical marijuana.” Furthermore, the poll suggests support for a number various forms of cannabis policy reform, including medical marijuana and legalization for adult-use. “When it comes to marijuana use in the state, a slight majority of …