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Bill > HB1071
MD HB1071
MD HB1071Criminal Law and Procedure - Cannabis - Fines for Smoking in Public, Stops, and Searches
summary
Introduced
02/10/2023
02/10/2023
In Committee
04/10/2023
04/10/2023
Crossed Over
03/18/2023
03/18/2023
Passed
04/10/2023
04/10/2023
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/28/2023
05/28/2023
Introduced Session
2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT concerning Criminal Procedure - Reasonable Suspicion and Probable Cause - Cannabis Criminal Law and Procedure - Cannabis - Fines for Smoking in Public, Stops, and Searches FOR the purpose of providing that a finding or determination of reasonable suspicion or probable cause relating to possession of contraband or other criminal activity may not be based solely on evidence of the odor of certain cannabis, the possession of or suspicion of possession of cannabis, or the presence of money in proximity to cannabis; providing that, subject to a certain limitation, the odor of certain cannabis or the possession of or suspicion of possession of cannabis may be factors in the totality of the circumstances leading to reasonable articulable suspicion to justify a certain investigation or probable cause to justify a certain arrest or search; providing that evidence obtained in violation of this Act is not admissible in certain proceedings; and generally relating to reasonable suspicion and probable cause. altering the maximum fines for smoking cannabis in a public place; prohibiting a law enforcement officer from initiating a stop or a search of a person, a motor vehicle, or a vessel based solely on certain factors; prohibiting, under certain circumstances, a law enforcement officer from conducting a search of a certain area of a motor vehicle or vessel; providing that evidence obtained in violation of certain provisions of this Act is not admissible in certain proceedings; and generally relating to cannabis. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 5-601(c)(4) 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 adding to Article - Criminal Procedure Section 1-211 Annotated Code of Maryland (2018 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
AI Summary
This bill makes the following key changes:
1. Reduces the maximum fines for smoking cannabis in a public place from $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses to $50 and $150, respectively.
2. Prohibits law enforcement officers from initiating a stop or search of a person, motor vehicle, or vessel solely based on the odor of cannabis, possession or suspicion of possession of a personal use amount of cannabis, or the presence of cash in proximity to cannabis.
3. Limits the scope of searches during investigations of driving under the influence of cannabis to only areas that are readily accessible to the driver/operator or reasonably likely to contain evidence relevant to their condition.
4. Specifies that evidence obtained in violation of these new provisions is not admissible in any legal proceedings.
The bill aims to reduce the disproportionate impact of cannabis-related law enforcement on certain communities and ensure reasonable suspicion and probable cause requirements are not based solely on the presence or odor of cannabis.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (44)
Charlotte Crutchfield (D)*,
Gabriel Acevero (D),
Jackie Addison (D),
Tiffany Alston (D),
Marlon Amprey (D),
Darryl Barnes (D),
Sandy Bartlett (D),
Adrian Boafo (D),
Regina Boyce (D),
Tony Bridges (D),
Nick Charles (D),
Frank Conaway (D),
Debra Davis (D),
Diana Fennell (D),
Kevin Harris (D),
Andrea Harrison (D),
Shaneka Henson (D),
Terri Hill (D),
Marvin Holmes (D),
Julian Ivey (D),
Carl Jackson (D),
Andre Johnson (D),
Robbyn Lewis (D),
Jeff Long (D),
Aletheia McCaskill (D),
Bernice Mireku-North (D),
Cheryl Pasteur (D),
Edith Patterson (D),
Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D),
Scott Phillips (D),
Pam Queen (D),
Mike Rogers (D),
Gary Simmons (D),
Stephanie Smith (D),
Deni Taveras (D),
Kym Taylor (D),
Karen Toles (D),
Veronica Turner (D),
Melissa Wells (D),
Jennifer White Holland (D),
Jheanelle Wilkins (D),
Nicole Williams (D),
Jamila Woods (D),
Caylin Young (D),
Last Action
Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 802 (on 05/28/2023)
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