Maryland last week saw Senate Bill 364 take effect. The new bill drops marijuana possession "from a criminal misdemeanor (presently punishable by arrest, up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, and a criminal record) to a non-arrestable, non-criminal, fine-only offense ($100 fine for first-time offenders, $250 for second-time offenders)." Possession of marijuana paraphernalia remains a criminal offense.
Maryland joins 16 other states and the District of Columbia in the list of those that have decriminalized marijuana possession.
Here is, from NORML–the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law–the list of states that have passed decriminalization laws.
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
