Maryland Bill Would Extend Marijuana Decriminalization from 10 Grams to One Ounce
A legislative proposal filed in Maryland’s Senate would nearly triple the amount of marijuana allowed under a decriminalization law passed in 2014.
According to the fiscal note for Senate Bill 127; “This bill increases the amount of marijuana below which possession is a civil offense from 10 grams to one ounce and makes conforming changes.” This means that those possessing up to 28 grams of cannabis would be given, at most, a fine, without the threat of jail time or a criminal charge. Under current law this only applies to those possessing up to 10 grams. Raising the limit to one ounce would put Maryland in line with most other states that have decriminalized marijuana.
Senate Bill 127 was filed by Senator Robert Zirkin with no cosponsors. The measure has been assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, where it received its initial public hearing yesterday.
The full text of Senate Bill 127 can be found by clicking here.