Maryland Decriminalization Bill Now in Effect
The possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis is no longer a criminal offense
in Maryland, as Senate Bill 364 becomes law.
Senate Bill 364, which was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley in April, officially took effect at midnight (EST), October 1st. The proposal makes the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis a simple $100 ticket for someone’s first offense, instead of an arrestable misdemeanor as it was before. A person’s second offense will be a ticket of $250, and all following offense will be a $500 ticket.
According to polling,released earlier this year, 72% of Maryland voters support decriminalizing cannabis.
Senate Bill 364 was approved 34 to 8 by the Maryland Senate, and 78 to 55 by the state’s House of Representatives.
– TheJointBlog