Just before the legislature adjourned its shortened 2020 session, lawmakers passed a bill — HB 83 — that would automatically protect previous cannabis charges that arose before Oct. 1, 2014, where possession was the only charge in the case. Unfortunately, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the legislation. However, lawmakers overrode Governor Hogan`s veto in the 2021 session, and the bill went into effect on Feb. 12, 2021.HB 83 will protect nearly 200,000 previous charges of public cannabis possession on the judiciary`s “Case Search” website. Unfortunately, this is not a complete deletion of recording. Complete removal of marijuana possession is possible after four years upon request. More information on deletion can be found here. The campaign, which began with a website and video urging voters to support legalization, relies on Trulieve funding, according to Aug. 30 campaign finance documents. The company — an industry giant with dispensaries in eight states, including three medical sites in Maryland — is listed with $50,000 for the cause. The only other donor, Blended Public Affairs, donated $100.
In 2021, Delegate Jazz Lewis, a Democrat from Prince George`s County, introduced H.B. 32, which would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults and eliminate previous cannabis-related convictions. [18] Another marijuana legalization bill introduced in 2021 is SB 708, introduced by Senator Brian Feldman, a Montgomery County Democrat. Feldman and Lewis are working to “harmonize” the two bills. [19] In the 2010s, there were several efforts to legalize recreational marijuana use, but none were successful. [14] However, support for legalization has increased in the state; Washington Post-University of Maryland polls found that 54 percent of Marylanders supported legalization in 2014 and 61 percent in 2016. [15] It does not appear that a political committee was formed this year to oppose the legalization of adult cannabis in Maryland. Mike Gimbel is not surprised by the lack of resistance. Gimbel, a former sober heroin user for nearly 50 years, has spoken out against drug use of all kinds in Maryland for decades, though he recently moved to Florida.
Most opponents of cannabis legalization have given up, he said, either because of the money and influence of the cannabis industry, or because they know it`s a losing battle. According to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, approximately 160,000 Maryland residents have a medical marijuana card. In 2021, medical dispensaries sold about $600 million worth of marijuana. But next July, more than 4 million residents will be able to legally possess marijuana for recreational purposes. In 2017, legalization was introduced in the state legislature (sponsored by Democratic Representative Curt Anderson, Democratic Senator Richard Madaleno and others) to legalize, tax and regulate recreational marijuana in the state. The bills would have allowed people 21 and older to legally possess up to one ounce (28 g) of marijuana and grow up to six marijuana plants, and would impose an excise tax of $30 per ounce ($1.06/g) for producers and a 9% sales tax for buyers (the same sales tax as for alcohol sales in Maryland). The bill also included a provision that would prevent previous convictions for possession of marijuana in those quantities or less. [16] [14] The law was not passed.
[15] On July 16, 2021, Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones announced that a referendum would decide whether to legalize the recreational use of cannabis and that the House would pass a bill early next year to bring this issue to the attention of voters. He also formed a bipartisan task force to work on the myriad of details such legalization would entail, from changes in criminal laws to the tax structure. [20] In Maryland, cannabis is sold under the medical program as raw plant material known as buds, and in edible form, where THC is extracted from the plant and infused into gum or chocolate. The average price per gram of marijuana was $10.81 in 2021, according to the state. The price of edibles is around $20 for a 100mg pack of THC-infused product in Maryland. About 30 supporters demonstrated a 51-foot inflatable joint along Bladen Street at a 2021 rally near the State House hosted by Maryland Marijuana Justice to demand that the General Assembly legalize adult cannabis use. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun) Friday, 1. In April 2022, the legislature approved HB 1, which will refer the issue of legalization to voters in the November election. On Friday, April 8, 2022, Governor Hogan had HB 837 — a bill that would go into effect if voters approved legalization — without his signature.
If voters approve HB 1 on the ballot, HB 837 would allow residents aged 21 and older to legally own up to 1.5 ounces and grow up to two plants starting July 1, 2023. The bills also include limited cuts, funding for minority and women-owned businesses, and a community reinvestment and reparation fund. You can view our invoice summary here. According to a recent Goucher poll, 62% of Marylanders now support legalization. Be sure to join the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition for updates. If you are a member of an organization that would like to join our coalition, we would love to hear from you. Maryland joins a growing number of states that have pledged to use all legalization measures to address the varying impacts of the war on drugs. Although whites and blacks use marijuana at similar rates, blacks nationwide were 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, according to a review of the American Civil Liberties Union indictment between 2010 and 2018.
The state lags behind its neighbors to the south in legalizing recreational cannabis use. Washington legalized it in 2014 and Virginia in 2021. Election day is November 8 and polls are open for advance polling on October 27. In addition to the legalization question, voters will answer four other questions about the constitutional amendment. Marylanders will also elect the next governor and vote on a variety of other congressional positions, state and local. The deadline to register for online voting in Maryland is Oct. 18. Marylanders can register to vote by going to elections.maryland.gov. “Maryland voters overwhelmingly rejected the failed prohibition policy and voted for the legalization policy,” said NORML CEO Erik Altieri.
“For too many decades, Maryland`s ban has been a total failure and has had devastating consequences for communities already marginalized in the state. By voting for legalization, Marylanders rejected failed ideas of the past and decided to reform their laws to protect civil liberties and promote racial justice. In July 2021, the Speaker of the House of Representatives convened the Task Force on the Referendum and Legalization of Cannabis. The group recently created a website and social media accounts. Maryland voters support the legalization of adult cannabis by a 2-to-1 margin, according to a Goucher College poll conducted earlier this year, but Monroe worries that not everyone will know he will be on the ballot. This is the second time a state legislature has introduced a constitutional amendment proposing marijuana legalization to voters. In 2020, the New Jersey state legislature voted to return an amendment to voters, which was approved. Cannabis grown today is often much stronger than what baby boomers smoked, Gimbel said, and he worries about the impact it can have on drivers, workplace safety and motivation.
Question 4 would amend the Maryland Constitution to add a new section, Article XX, that would allow people 21 and older to use and possess marijuana. The added section also authorizes the Maryland General Assembly to “provide for the use, distribution, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis in the State.” During the 2022 legislature, the state legislature also passed implementing laws that would take effect after the amendment passes. [2] The state launched its medical marijuana program in 2017, which has generated more than $348 million in retail sales so far in 2022. But Maryland lawmakers have also been criticized for introducing the program, which initially did not license black business owners. “State legislators have had many years to prepare for this moment,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML. National polls had consistently shown that an overwhelming majority of Marylanders supported cannabis legalization, and the outcome of that referendum was never in doubt. Now it`s up to lawmakers to quickly pass rules to oversee a regulated cannabis market in accordance with voter demands. When asked if he believed cannabis companies or advocates other than Trulieve and MD Can `22 would support the campaign, Monroe said he hoped so. Cannabis in Maryland is legal for medical purposes and illegal for recreational use, but possession of 10 grams (3⁄8 oz) or less is decriminalized. [1] [2] In 2013, a state law was passed to establish a state-regulated medical cannabis program. [3] The program, known as Natalie M.