THEWIRE

By Olivia Henning

 

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law medical marijuana and the decriminalization of marijuana possession on April 14. 

 

Maryland is now the 21st state with effective medical marijuana program, and the 18th to decriminalize possession. 

 

Senate Bill 364 was given final approval on April 7 in a 34-8 vote. The bill reduces the penalty for possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana from a criminal to a civil offense. 

 

This means imposing fines instead of criminal penalties or jailtime. First-time offenders could face a fine of up to $100. Second offense could result in a fine up to $250, and reoccurring offenses up to $500. Third-time underage offenders will have to go through clinical assessment for a substance abuse disorder and drug education programs. 

 

“At least now it's only a fine and a civil charge instead of criminal,” said Charles Jorgensen, a full-time student at Salisbury University and life-long Maryland resident. “It is a long over due bill. There is no need to over populate prisons because of marijuana, wasting more taxpayer’s money on something petty.”

 

Taxpayers annually spend up to $10 billion arresting and prosecuting marijuana violators, according to MPP (Marijuana Policy Program). 

 

“Really, I think its great that Maryland's finally gotten around to it,” said Sam Martin, a new resident to Maryland and a full-time student at Chesapeake College. “It's essentially rather a harmless drug that has less negative effects, if any, compared to alcohol. Having it decriminalized is the big step we need into making it legal.”

 

According to MPP, a poll in 2013 found that 53% of Marylanders support legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and over, taxing and regulating it like alcohol. 

 

For more information on this new law, or information on other state’s marijuana policies, go to mpp.org