Pubdate: Fri, 11 Apr 2014
Source: Frederick News Post (MD)
Copyright: 2014 Randall Family, LLC.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/Z0khz4CI
Website: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/814
Author: Danielle E. Gaines

STATE'S ATTORNEYS DRAFTING LETTER TO CHALLENGE POT BILL

Narcotics prosecutors across the state are forming a task force to 
respond to the state's new marijuana decriminalization bill, 
Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith said.

The Maryland State's Attorneys' Association, of which Smith is 
president of the board, met Thursday to discuss the new legislation, 
which police and prosecutors say has critical omissions.

The bill makes it a civil offense, no longer a crime, to possess or 
use less than 10 grams of marijuana. But the bill failed to establish 
rules for drug-free zones, smoking in schools and smoking in public, 
among other things, Smith said.

The state's attorneys' association will send a letter to Gov. Martin 
O'Malley urging him to veto the bill, Smith said.

In June, the narcotics prosecutors will present a report about how to 
incorporate the new law - if it has been signed by O'Malley - into a 
training program throughout the state, Smith said.

The law will take effect Oct. 1 if signed.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom