Good news, Maryland! Two great cannabis bills are moving through the legislature

Great news! Two cannabis bills are currently moving through Maryland's legislature.

The Maryland House of Delegates passed HB 413, which would allow the manufacturing of cannabis products for personal use. It also reduces sentences for some cannabis-related charges. Meanwhile, the Senate approved SB 1023, which was written to protect first responders from off-duty medical marijuana use.

HB 413 now heads to the Senate, while SB 1023 heads to the House.

Keep the momentum going! If you live in Maryland, write your state senator now and urge them to support HB 413, and write your state delegate(s) to urge their support of SB 1023!

HB 413, introduced by Delegate Moon (D), would:

• Allow adults 21 and older to create cannabis products for personal use at home as long as the process does not include volatile solvents. (Marylanders can already cultivate two plants, but state law does not allow them to make products such as brownies or extracts at home.)
• Modify the penalty for high-volume cannabis-related offenses from a mandatory five-year sentence to a misdemeanor with no mandatory minimum.
• Allow courts to reduce or modify sentences of defendants who were convicted of being high-volume cannabis dealers, from the original mandatory minimum five-year felony sentence to a misdemeanor. The courts would consider mitigating circumstances and evidence of rehabilitation.

Cannabis is legal in Maryland. It shouldn't be a crime to produce tinctures, edibles, and other products for personal use at home. This is not only cost-effective, but also cuts down on traveling to far away dispensaries for rural Marylanders. Meanwhile, a five-year mandatory sentence is grossly excessive for a cannabis offense.

We're also thrilled with the progress of Senator Carl Jackson's SB 1023. First responders put their lives on the line for us, and many develop chronic pain or PTSD from their public service. They should not lose their jobs for alleviating their symptoms and choosing a safer alternative to opiates or alcohol consumption. SB 1023's companion bill HB 1408 was referred to the House's Economic Matters Committee, which failed to act on it before the cross-over deadline. But Committee Chair C.T. Wilson has another chance to do the right thing for public servants by scheduling and passing SB 1023.

We are pleased Maryland legislators are advancing these positive cannabis bills to roll back the unfair and unjust treatment of cannabis users!