New legislation would put Maryland on the path to legalizing adult recreational use of cannabis, or marijuana.
Under the bill, Marylanders would be permitted to possess up to 1.5- ounces of recreational cannabis without penalty. Possession of amounts between 1.5 and 2.5- ounces of cannabis would face a civil offense.
Many previous convictions for ‘simple possession of marijuana’ would be automatically expunged, if that is the only charge in the case.
Other measures would create a Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council, and a Small-, Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. Supporters said the fund would assist those who are disproportionately impacted by marijuana laws, and support business incubators and educational programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“Marylanders deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box on the question of legalization, but we cannot move forward without an implementation plan that addresses our immediate priorities,” House Judiciary Chairman Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore City said. “With this legislation, we will be prepared with comprehensive policy that creates the best, most equitable path to legal recreational cannabis should voters say yes.”
“I want to thank Chairman Clippinger and every member of the workgroup for their thoughtful approach to the legalization of recreational adult use cannabis,” House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore Co. said….
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New legislation would put Maryland on the path to legalizing adult recreational use of cannabis, or marijuana.
Under the bill, Marylanders would be permitted to possess up to 1.5- ounces of recreational cannabis without penalty. Possession of amounts between 1.5 and 2.5- ounces of cannabis would face a civil offense.
Many previous convictions for ‘simple possession of marijuana’ would be automatically expunged, if that is the only charge in the case.
Other measures would create a Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council, and a Small-, Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. Supporters said the fund would assist those who are disproportionately impacted by marijuana laws, and support business incubators and educational programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“Marylanders deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box on the question of legalization, but we cannot move forward without an implementation plan that addresses our immediate priorities,” House Judiciary Chairman Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore City said. “With this legislation, we will be prepared with comprehensive policy that creates the best, most equitable path to legal recreational cannabis should voters say yes.”
“I want to thank Chairman Clippinger and every member of the workgroup for their thoughtful approach to the legalization of recreational adult use cannabis,” House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore Co. said….
