Gov. O’Malley Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill [Maryland]

[DCPatriot]

Gov. O’Malley Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill [Maryland]

April 14, 2014




ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Maryland joins 17 other states in decriminalizing marijuana. Gov. Martin O’Malley signed a bill Monday that replaces jail time with fines for possession of small amounts.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the new law.

In somewhat of a surprise move, the General Assembly has decided to change its heavy handed approach to smoking pot.

Maryland goes from zero to tolerance for 10 grams of marijuana or less. But that’s where it stops.

“I still don’t support Maryland being one those states that serves as a laboratory for legalization of marijuana,” O’Malley said. [with POTUS aspirations] (bracket mine)

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/04/14/gov-omalley-to-sign-marijuana-decriminalization-bill/

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[DCPatriot]

Some police jurisdictions are upset with the ambiguity of the law.

For example, you can have less than 10 grams of pot, but you can still be arrested and charged if caught with a pipe, wrapping papers or other utensils used in consuming your pot.

[Oceander]

is possession treated as a crime, or as a violation (i.e., like a traffic ticket).  it isn't decriminalized until its converted from a crime (misdemeanor or felony) to a violation.  How much is 10 grams of pot, anyways?

[alicewonders]

is possession treated as a crime, or as a violation (i.e., like a traffic ticket).  it isn't decriminalized until its converted from a crime (misdemeanor or felony) to a violation.  How much is 10 grams of pot, anyways?

It's enough to roll about ten joints.

[DCPatriot]

is possession treated as a crime, or as a violation (i.e., like a traffic ticket).  it isn't decriminalized until its converted from a crime (misdemeanor or felony) to a violation.  How much is 10 grams of pot, anyways?

28 grams to an ounce....so it's a bit over one-third of an ounce.

A plastic baggie of an "ounce" of pot is a little larger than a single checkbook 'wallet'.  Only much thicker LOL!

[DCPatriot]

It's enough to roll about ten joints.

Those are going to be gargantuan doobies, Alice!   

[alicewonders]

28 grams to an ounce....so it's a bit over one-third of an ounce.

A plastic baggie of pot is a little larger than a single checkbook 'wallet'.  Only much thicker LOL!

I know in some states though, that don't penalize much for possession of smaller amounts - the first or second offense is just a fine, but after that it becomes a felony with mandatory prison time.  That's not good. 

[alicewonders]

Those are going to be gargantuan doobies, Alice!   

About the size of a cigarette.   

[flowers]

Wasn't pot at one time measured by fingers?  you could buy a 4 finger bag which I think was called a lid? 

[alicewonders]

Wasn't pot at one time measured by fingers?  you could buy a 4 finger bag which I think was called a lid? 

Yeah, that was back in the hippie days when you could pass a joint around at a concert right in front of the police and they never made a big deal about it as long as you were behaving yourself.  Good times.

 

[flowers]

Yeah, that was back in the hippie days when you could pass a joint around at a concert right in front of the police and they never made a big deal about it as long as you were behaving yourself.  Good times.

 

[aligncare]

It's a start.

End prohibition! Let a person choose their poison.