Title:
Maryland bill would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana
Message:
Last week, Maryland became the fifth state this year to consider taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol. Sponsored by Del. Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore City), HB 1453 would remove all criminal penalties for possession of marijuana by adults.
Ask your elected officials to support HB 1453.
Anderson’s bill would tax marijuana at $50/ounce and task the Maryland Comptroller and Department of Agriculture with licensing wholesalers and retail outlets and regulating the cultivation, distribution, and sale of marijuana to adults 21 and over. It would also allow home cultivation of up to three plants. The most important thing you can do to help get this bill passed is to contact your state senator and delegates and share your support.
In other news, a bill that would extend an affirmative defense against possession charges to medical marijuana caregivers passed the House last week. Also, a second hearing has been scheduled on a Senate proposal that would not regulate marijuana, but would at least replace criminal penalties with civil citations punishable by a fine with no possibility of jail time.
Please contact your legislators now, and spread the word by forwarding this email to a friend or posting this link to your Twitter or Facebook page.
