By Bruce DePuyt
The Senate Finance Committee approved a measure Tuesday that would add Maryland to the growing list of states that have legalized small amounts of cannabis. The measure would take effect only if voters approve a related ballot question this fall.
The bill would make it legal for people 21 and older to possess “personal use” amounts of marijuana and would allow households to cultivate up to two plants. It also would require the state to release some people who have been jailed for marijuana-related offenses and to expunge those convictions from their records.
Senate Bill 833, sponsored by Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery), is similar to a bill that passed the House in February, but there are differences that must be ironed out.
The finance panel did not take action on House Bill 1, which would establish the November referendum.
Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) told reporters that he expects disagreements between the two chambers on the legislation to be resolved by the end of the week. Because this is an election year, lawmakers will have the opportunity to override vetoes by Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) only if the bills reach his desk by the end of this week. Read more at Maryland Matter.
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