governor martin o'malley Archives

Maryland Lawmakers Approve Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis Paraphernalia

April 12, 2015April 11, 2015

Maryland’s House of Delegates has approved a proposal to decriminalize the possession of cannabis paraphernalia. The vote was 84 to 52.

In 2014, Maryland lawmakers approved a proposal – which took effect in September – that decriminalized the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis, making it no longer a criminal offense, rather than an arrestable misdemeanor as it was before. However, a loophole in the law kept cannabis paraphernalia illegal, with those caught in possession charged with a misdemeanor.

Maryland Decriminalization Bill Now in Effect

January 8, 2015September 30, 2014

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.

Maryland Proposal to Decriminalize Cannabis Takes Effect Wednesday

September 28, 2014September 26, 2014

A proposal to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis will officially take effect on Wednesday, October 1st in Maryland.

Senate Bill 364, which was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley in April, decriminalizes the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis, making it a simple $100 ticket for someone’s first offense. A second offense will be a ticket of $250, and all subsequent tickets will carry a maximum fine of $500. Under no circumstance will the personal possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis result in a criminal charge under the new law.

Under current Maryland law, the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis is a misdemeanor which carries with it a potential 90 day jail sentence.

Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Signed Into Law by Maryland Governor

April 15, 2014April 15, 2014

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has signed a proposal into law which explicitly legalizes medical cannabis; the measure, House Bill 1321 , will take effect on July 1st.

Under the new law, the possession and use of medical cannabis will be legal those with a qualifying condition such as cancer or chronic pain who receive a recommendation from a physician. The bill will establish a minimum of 94 dispensaries throughout the state to distribute cannabis to patients, and will authorize state-licensed cultivation centers.

Maryland Governor Signs Measure Decriminalizing Cannabis

April 27, 2014April 14, 2014

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has signed Senate Bill 364. The measure decriminalizes the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis.

Under the new law, someone caught possessing 10 grams of cannabis or less will be given, at most, a simple $100 ticket for their first offense. For someone’s second offenses, they can be given a $250 ticket, and the ticket can be raised to $500 for subsequent offenses. No amount of offenses will result in jail time or a criminal record.