Pubdate: Sun, 06 Apr 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Nick Tabor, The Associated Press

BILL TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA APPROVED BY MARYLAND HOUSE

Annapolis, Md. (AP) - The Maryland House of Delegates voted Saturday
to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The House voted 78-55 for the bill. It would eliminate criminal
charges for possessing less than 10 grams - or about one-third of an
ounce.

The Senate has approved a similar measure, but changes made by the
House will require Senate approval to pass the bill before the
legislative session ends at midnight Monday.

The Senate had proposed a maximum penalty of $100. The House bill
raises the penalties to $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third
offense.

The House bill also requires certain offenders - those under 21, and
those caught with the drug three times or more-to be evaluated for
treatment.

Nina Smith, a spokeswoman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, said the
Democratic governor will review the bill if it passes the General
Assembly. O'Malley, a former Baltimore mayor, has expressed wariness
about decriminalizing marijuana in the past.

Republicans introduced several amendments to soften the changes to
marijuana laws. One amendment would have required a public service
campaign, highlighting the dangers of smoking pot. Another would have
kept it a criminal offense to smoke pot in public.

Not one Republican amendment made it through.

Arguments in support of the bill tended to focus on racial disparities
in drug law enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union found last
year that black people in Baltimore are 5.6 times more likely than the
city's white residents to be arrested for marijuana possession.

If O'Malley signs the bill, it will take effect Oct. 1. 
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