Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Source: Cumberland Times-News (MD)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.times-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1365
Author: Nick Tabor, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARIJUANA DEBATE MOVES TO HOUSE

Bill Could Hamper Employers Who Want to Drug Test Workers, Kelly Says

ANNAPOLIS (AP) - Maryland's marijuana prohibition hurts more people 
than it helps, a veteran narcotics investigator told lawmakers 
Thursday. But he said police want to keep it illegal because drug 
enforcement is part of their professional culture.

"It has become our identity," Neill Franklin said. "Losing that 
identity is a hard pill to swallow. I had to do it."

Franklin worked with the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore 
Police Department for a total of 33 years. He now leads the 
organization Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

He testified before the House Judiciary Committee in support of Del. 
Curt Anderson's marijuana legalization bill.

Franklin said drug enforcement units "unfortunately" depend on cash 
and assets they seize in drug raids.

"It is a cash cow for drug task forces in this state and many other 
states," he said.

But if Maryland were to create a legal marijuana market, it could cut 
out a huge source of revenue for drug cartels, which spend some of 
that money on weapons, Franklin said. Meanwhile, it would create a 
new source of tax revenue, Anderson said. Colorado, which recently 
legalized the drug, collected more than $3.5 million in marijuana 
taxes and fees in January alone.

After Franklin's testimony, Anderson sparred with committee members 
who raised objections.

Michael McDermott, R-Worcester, said marijuana dispensaries might 
become concentrated in predominantly black communities. He said this 
is already the case with liquor stores.

Anderson said the bill limits the number of dispensaries in political 
districts. And drug dealers already cluster in those areas, said Rev. 
Todd Yeary, of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Del. Kevin Kelly, D-Allegany, said it could hamper employers from 
drug testing their workers. Anderson told him businesses would be 
free to continue using drug tests, but Kelly said employees fired for 
smoking pot might file lawsuits. It would soon get complicated for 
businesses, despite any protections the law might afford them, he said.

The Senate, which is several weeks ahead of the House on marijuana 
legislation, has favored a bill that would make possession a civil 
offense instead of eliminating penalties altogether. The Senate body 
is now preparing to vote on the decriminalization bill.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom