summary
Introduced
01/11/2023
01/11/2023
In Committee
01/11/2023
01/11/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/10/2023
04/10/2023
Introduced Session
2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Cannabis-Related Offenses - Civil Penalties FOR the purpose of substituting civil penalties in place of criminal penalties for certain offenses relating to possessing, possessing with the intent to distribute, and cultivating cannabis and manufacturing cannabis products; and generally relating to cannabis-related offenses. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 5-101(a) and (u) and 5-601(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) (As enacted by Chapter 26 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022) BY repealing Article - Criminal Law Section 5-101(e-2) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) (As enacted by Chapter 26 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 5-601(c)(2) and (d), 5-601.2, and 5-602 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) (As enacted by Chapter 26 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law SENATE BILL 73 Section 5-601.1 and 5-607 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 5-603 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
AI Summary
This bill substitutes civil penalties in place of criminal penalties for certain offenses related to possessing, possessing with intent to distribute, and cultivating cannabis and manufacturing cannabis products. Key provisions include:
- Replacing criminal misdemeanor offenses with civil offenses punishable by fines, with the option to perform community service in lieu of fines in some cases.
- Decriminalizing possession of the "personal use amount" of cannabis (up to 1.5 ounces of usable cannabis, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or 750 mg of cannabis products).
- Maintaining civil penalties for possession of amounts exceeding the personal use amount, as well as for cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution offenses.
- Establishing procedures for issuing citations, adjudicating civil offenses, and keeping records confidential in certain circumstances.
- Allowing the state's attorney to prosecute civil cannabis violations in the same manner as criminal violations.
The bill is contingent on the taking effect of related legislation passed in 2022.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Judicial Proceedings Hearing (14:30:00 2/1/2023 ) (on 02/01/2023)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0073?ys=2023RS |
| Racial Equity Impact | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2023RS-SB0073-REIN.pdf |
| BillText | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2023RS/bills/sb/sb0073f.pdf |
Loading...