Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones announced Friday her support for voters to decide through a referendum in 2022 whether to legalize cannabis.
The Democratic leader from Baltimore County highlighted a plan to create a bipartisan work group to hash out details on legislation such as the regulation, production and oversight of the product. Parts of the cannabis plant, often referred to as marijuana, remain only legal for medicinal purposes in Maryland.
“While I have personal concerns about encouraging marijuana use, particularly among children and young adults, the disparate criminal justice impact leads me to believe that the voters should have a say in the future of legalization,” Jones said in a statement. “The House will pass legislation early next year to put this question before the voters but we need to start looking at changes needed to state law now.”
Jones appointed Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) to chair the work group. He also chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
“Cannabis use has had a disparate impact on people of color for too long with no real impact on public safety,” Clippinger said in a statement. “The Speaker has been clear that we will do this with an eye toward equity and consideration to black and brown neighborhoods and businesses historically impacted by cannabis use.”
The…
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Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones announced Friday her support for voters to decide through a referendum in 2022 whether to legalize cannabis.
The Democratic leader from Baltimore County highlighted a plan to create a bipartisan work group to hash out details on legislation such as the regulation, production and oversight of the product. Parts of the cannabis plant, often referred to as marijuana, remain only legal for medicinal purposes in Maryland.
“While I have personal concerns about encouraging marijuana use, particularly among children and young adults, the disparate criminal justice impact leads me to believe that the voters should have a say in the future of legalization,” Jones said in a statement. “The House will pass legislation early next year to put this question before the voters but we need to start looking at changes needed to state law now.”
Jones appointed Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) to chair the work group. He also chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
“Cannabis use has had a disparate impact on people of color for too long with no real impact on public safety,” Clippinger said in a statement. “The Speaker has been clear that we will do this with an eye toward equity and consideration to black and brown neighborhoods and businesses historically impacted by cannabis use.”
The…
