(Photo: THCFinder.com)

Legislation (House Bill 104) to greatly expand the type of healthcare professional that can legally recommend medical cannabis to patients has been signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan. The measure was passed by the Senate last month 36 to 10, which followed an 110 to 21 vote in the House of Representatives in February.

Under the new law, midwives, nurses, dentists and foot doctors will be allowed to certify patients to legally use medical cannabis. Under current law, that authority is restricted to physicians. The law was introduced by Delegate Dan K. Morhaim (D-Baltimore City).

House Bill 104 takes effect on October 1st of this year.

Maryland Marijuana Possession Laws:

Less than 10 grams:

Penalty: Civil infraction up to $100 (up to $500 if caught consuming in public).

10 grams to 50 pounds:

Penalty: Misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail and/or a maximum fine of $1,000.

50 pounds or more:

Penalty: Felony with a 5 year mandatory minimum sentence and/or a maximum fine of $100,000.

For further information on Maryland marijuana laws – including penalties for cultivation – click here. For recent updates to Maryland”s marijuana possession laws and other Maryland-related stories, click here.

Marijuana would be legalized, regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol under legislation Maryland lawmakers plan to introduce this week.

“Now is the time to join other states and move toward a sensible system of regulation and taxation,” said Senator Richard Madaleno (D) at a Monday press conference. Madaleno announced two forthcoming Senate bills; one would legalize and regulate cannabis, and one would tax it.

Under the proposed laws, which will be officially filed later this week, those 21 and older would be allowed to possess and grow cannabis for personal use. The measures would also establish a system of licensed cannabis retail outlets, supplied by licensed cultivation centers. Cannabis would be taxed at $30 an ounce, plus a 9% sales tax.

Delegate David Moon (D) is sponsoring separate legislation that would send a constitutional amendment to make cannabis legal to a vote of the people.

Under current Maryland law the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis is a civil infraction; however, possessing over 10 grams (and under 50 pounds) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The newly announced measured would legalize possession of up to an ounce (28 grams).

Washington and Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012. Oregon and Alaska followed in 2014. In 2016, Massachusetts, Maine, California and Nevada joined the movement. Here’s a look at the five states most likely to be next, and by the end of next year.

Vermont

Last year Vermont’s Senate became the first in U.S. history to approve a measure (Senate Bill 241) that would have fully legalized cannabis for those 21 and older. Despite also being supported by the state’s attorney general and governor at the time, it failed to pass the House.

However, proponents are taking up the issue again in 2017, with the added momentum of four additional states having legalized cannabis just a few months prior.

The state’s new Governor Phil Scott unfortunately doesn’t support legalization, but is at least open to the idea, saying “I can appreciate the discussion around ending the prohibition of marijuana.”

New Mexico:

Earlier this month New Mexico’s House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee voted 3 to 1 to advance House Bill 89, which would legalize cannabis for everyone 21 and older. It must now go through two more committees, the full House and the Senate before going to Governor Susana Martinez for final consideration. In other words it still has a long way to go, but it’s already gone as far as any legalization measure before it.

According to polling released a few weeks ago by the Albuquerque Journal, if the measure is passed into law it has support from a majority of the state’s voters; 61% of voters favor legalization, with just 34% opposed.

Michigan

Last June activists submitted over 350,000 signatures on an initiative to legalize cannabis, considerably more than the 253,000 required to put the proposal to a vote later that year. However, after conducting a count the state found that too many of the signatures were invalid (any signature from someone not registered to vote, and any duplicates), meaning it fell slightly short of being put to a vote.

However, proponents of the initiative aren’t going away until the battle is won, and are already working on an initiative that would be placed on the 2018 ballot.

To many Michigan voters legalization is far from a new concept: Numerous cities throughout the state have already approved measures to legalize or decriminalize cannabis, including Saginaw, East Lansing, Keego Harbor, Portage, Mount Pleasant, Port Huron, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Hazel Park, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Ferndale and Detroit

Rhode Island:

Polling released last month – conducted by Public Policy Polling – found that 59% of registered voters in Rhode Island support legalizing cannabis, showing that the state is more than ready for it. Late last year when asked about legalization Governor Gina Raimondo said “We’re looking into it.” She followed that up by saying that; “If I could get myself comfortable that we, the state, could legalize in a way that keeps people safe, keeps children safe, folks aren’t getting sick, then I would be in favor.”

Such strong support for legalization in Rhode Island makes sense; the state consistently has one of, if not the highest marijuana consumption rates in the United States.

Maryland

Earlier this month two proposals to legalize and tax cannabis were filed by Senator Richard Madaleno.

“Now is the time to join other states and move toward a sensible system of regulation and taxation,” said Madaleno prior to filing the bills.

According to a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll released in October, the state’s voters agree; 61% support legalization, with just 34% opposed.

Delegate David Moon (D) is sponsoring separate legislation that would send a constitutional amendment to make cannabis legal to a vote of the people; this means that if lawmakers don’t quite have the will to legalize cannabis themselves, they have the option of giving voters their say (while still being the ones to develop the proposal, making them more likely to support it).

Governor Larry Hogan unfortunately doesn’t seem to be supportive of legalization, but the legislature can overturn any veto with a 2/3rds majority. And it’s not unheard of; just last month lawmakers overturned a veto by Governor Hogan that would have kept marijuana paraphernalia illegal (it is now decriminalized). Mustering a 2/3rds majority would be quite a task, but there’s also the possibility that if it reached Hogan’s desk he would simply let it become law without his signature, especially if it passes with considerable support.

Maryland’s Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Thursday on a bill that would legalize and regulate marijuana in a way similar to alcohol.

Senate Bill 928, filed by Senator Richard Madaleno Jr., would legalize the possession and personal cultivation of cannabis, while establishing a licensed and regulated system of cannabis retail outlets and cultivation centers. Prior charges for cannabis that were made legal by the bill would be expunged for those who were 21 and older at the time of conviction.

“I’m a retired narcotics officer and Maryland native, and I support regulating marijuana for adult use because it will make our state safer,” says Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, who plans to testify at the hearing Thursday. “Decriminalizing marijuana took the crime out of possessing it, but it did not address the criminal element associated with production and sales. Maryland’s prohibition system is keeping dangerous illegal growers and dealers in business. Adopting a tightly regulated system of licensed cultivators and sellers will weaken criminals who endanger our children, communities, and police officers.”

According Dr. Fernando Wagner, a public health researcher and professor at the Morgan State University School of Community Health and Policy who will also testify at Thursday’s hearing, says;  “Cannabis is less addictive than alcohol and many other drugs… From a public health perspective, allowing adults to purchase cannabis in a regulated market would be far better than forcing them to buy it in an illicit market.”

Wagner continues; “The claim that marijuana is a ‘gateway drug’ to opioids and other prescription medicines is not supported by scientific research. In fact, there have been promising studies that indicate making cannabis legally available can help people reduce their use of opioids. This potential benefit is deserving of serious consideration at a time when our state is facing an opioid crisis.”

The hearing is planned to start at 1pm ET at Miller Senate Office Building (2 East Wing, 11 Bladen St., Annapolis).

Maryland’s Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee has given a favorable vote to Senate Bill 949.

The proposal would allow a person convicted of possession of marijuana before October 1, 2014 to file for an expungement (removal) of the charge. According to its official summary; “This bill expands eligibility for expungements to include convictions for possession of marijuana under § 5-601 of the Criminal Law Article before October 1, 2014.”

October 1st, 2014 marked the first day of a new statewide law in Maryland that decriminalized the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis, making it a civil fine rather than an arrestable misdemeanor.

The bill requires “that filing fees for petitions for expungements collected by the District Court be remitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).” The AOC may “use money received from filing fees only for the purpose of funding the processing of expungements.”

Senate Bill 949 will now move towards a full Senate vote; passage will place it before the House of Representatives. The full text of the measure – filed by Senators William Smith and Richard Madaleno – can be found by clicking here.

Earlier this month the Judicial Proceedings Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 928 which would legalize cannabis for everyone 21 and older. Although the measure has yet to advance out of committee, it is still currently alive.

Maryland’s full Senate has given approval to Senate Bill 949 to allow marijuana expungements.

The proposal was passed by the Senate Wednesday with a unanimous 47 to 0 vote. A companion bill – House Bill 379 – was passed today by the House Judiciary Committee.

The proposed laws “expands eligibility for expungements to include convictions for possession of marijuana under § 5-601 of the Criminal Law Article before October 1, 2014.” October 1st, 2014 marked the first day of a law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the state.

The bill requires “that filing fees for petitions for expungements collected by the District Court be remitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).” The AOC may “use money received from filing fees only for the purpose of funding the processing of expungements.”

If the legislation is passed by the full House of Representatives, it will be sent to Governor Larry Hogan for consideration.

A marijuana expungement bill has been passed by Maryland’s full House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 949 was given approval by the House today with a 94 to 43 vote; the measure has already passed the Senate with a unanimous 47 to 0 vote. Given it was amended in the House, it will need to go back to the Senate to receive one final vote before being sent to Governor Larry Hogan for final consideration.

According to official language, Senate Bill 949 would allow for the expungement (removal) of a marijuana charge if “the person was convicted of possession of marijuana under §5–601 of the Criminal Law Article”. The measure initially required “that filing fees for petitions for expungement collected by the District Court be remitted to the Administrative Office of the Court be used only for a specified purpose”, but that was amended out in the House.

October 1, 2014 marked the start of a statewide policy in Maryland that decriminalized the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis, which was previously an arrestable misdemeanor.

Click here for more information on Senate Bill 949.

A marijuana expungement bill has officially become law in Maryland.

Senate Bill 949 was given approval by the House in April with a vote of 94 to 43; prior to that the measure passed the Senate with a unanimous 47 to 0 vote. Following inaction from Governor Larry Hogan, the legislation officially became law on Sunday, October 1st.

According to official language, Senate Bill 949 would allow for the expungement (removal) of a marijuana charge if “the person was convicted of possession of marijuana under §5–601 of the Criminal Law Article”. The measure initially required “that filing fees for petitions for expungement collected by the District Court be remitted to the Administrative Office of the Court be used only for a specified purpose”, but that was amended out in the House.

October 1, 2014 marked the start of a statewide policy in Maryland that decriminalized the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis, which was previously an arrestable misdemeanor.

For the full text of Senate Bill 949, click here.

Legislation to nearly triple the amount of marijuana allowed under a decriminalization law passed in 2014 has been passed through its second reading in the Maryland Senate.

In Maryland, the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana for personal use has been decriminalized since 2014. Senate Bill 127, according to an official summary, “increases the amount of marijuana below which possession is a civil offense from 10 grams to one ounce and makes conforming changes.” The measure was passed Thursday through its second reading in the Senate, the day after it was approved by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Senate Bill 127, filed by Senator Robert Zirkin, must now be passed through a third and final reading in the Senate before it can be sent to the House of Representatives. If also passed by the House, the bill would go to Governor Larry Hogan for final consideration.

The full text of Senate Bill 127 can be found by clicking here.