Possession of small amounts of marijuana would be a civil fine instead of a criminal penalty under a bill approved by the Maryland Senate on Tuesday.
The Senate voted 30-16 to replace the criminal charge of possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana with a civil fine of up to $100. Ten grams, about a third of one ounce, is equivalent to the weight of about two nickels.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, characterized people with 10 grams or less of marijuana as "small time" possessors and said it was a waste of taxpayer money to prosecute them and put them through the criminal justice system.
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11 comments:
This will save Maryland a ton of money. Smart move.
It will still be a criminal offense under Federal laws. Don't get caught with under 10 grams by a federal law officer.
What a bunch of fools.
A lot of those "fools" are smoking pot at their house every night. THEY know the hysteria is baseless. Bush used COCAINE and pot. He became President. So did obama. So did Kennedy. Start thinking for yourself instead of believing everything you're told. If you can bring yourself to do something thats anathemic to your entire existence.
I guarantee there is some of the very best medicinal ghanja in the World sitting in a desk in the oval office of the White House.
What a bunch of fools.
March 20, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Welcome to the party. We saved you a seat.
I wonder how this is going to affect MD's requirements for concealed carry permits.., atm a conviction for cds is enough to be denied?
7:39 you've basically just connected drug use and it's adverse effects. Thank you.
1:24 AM (!?) Cocaine hasn't worn off yet? Nice comment....quite witty. Just kidding about the cocaine, so don't get angry...
Maybe this will take some of the pressure off of law enforcement and allow them to focus on the REAL criminals amongst us.
3:00 PM
What pressure? If you took away their radar gun and ticket book they would have nothing to do.
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