In November, Maryland Voters Will Decide Whether to Legalize Recreational Marijuana.
Maryland lawmakers decided Friday to allow voters to determine whether recreational marijuana should be legalized in November.
The Maryland House accepted a constitutional amendment that had already been approved by the Senate by a vote of 94-39. The House also voted 89-41 in favor of a second bill that takes steps to establish recreational marijuana if voters approve it, but it leaves issues like licensing and taxes up to politicians next year.
The constitutional change does not require Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s assent. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly delivered the implementation bill to Hogan in time to overcome a veto if the governor rejects the plan before lawmakers adjourn on April 11. The bill was enacted by both the House and Senate with enough votes to override a veto.
The constitutional amendment states that recreational marijuana will not be legal for persons above the age of 21 until July 2023. The legislation includes provisions for a transitional period between January 1 and July 1 that would include a fine for possession of less than an ounce and a half of marijuana.
If approved by voters, the companion bill would make the possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana legal. It would also abolish criminal sanctions of up to 2.5 ounces and replace them with a civil citation. Existing marijuana possession regulations would apply to amounts greater than 2.5 ounces.
