Maryland lawmakers on Monday began delving into the details of how to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, should voters support it on the ballot this fall.
Democratic leaders in the House of Delegates are advancing a plan to put the issue to voters in a referendum, which would trigger a series of changes in criminal law and automatic expungements of past marijuana possession convictions. And then lawmakers would work out details of who would get licenses for growing and selling the drug, how much it would be taxed and how the money would be used. They’d also study the health effects of broad use of marijuana.
“Marylanders deserve to have their voice heard on the question of cannabis legalization,” said Del. Luke Clippinger, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and lead sponsor of marijuana legalization legislation.
Clippinger and other top Democrats worked at the behest of House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones to develop a legalization plan centered around a voter referendum this fall. Clippinger, a Baltimore Democrat, said they’re charting the “best, most equitable path forward.”
There’s long been a growing interest in legalizing recreational use of marijuana in Maryland, which already has a medical cannabis program. Polls have shown ample support for legalization, including 60% in a Goucher College Poll last fall, up from 50% support in 2014. [Read More @ The Baltimore Sun]
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