Maryland is moving closer to becoming another state where recreational cannabis use would be legal, following last week's House of Delegates approval of a measure that would place the question before voters in November's general election.
The proposal still needs Senate approval and would initiate a constitutional amendment process. If the amendment reaches the ballot, voters would decide whether to permit recreational cannabis consumption for those 21 and older.
The Democratic majority in the House backed the measure with a 96-34 vote count.
The plan would allow adults older than 21 to carry up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis for personal use. Additionally, amounts between 1.5 and 2.5 ounces would change from criminal misdemeanor status to a civil violation.
Should voters approve the amendment, the General Assembly would establish the specific regulations, including tax structures for sales. The rules would take effect in July 2023, putting Maryland alongside Washington, D.C. and 18 other states with legal recreational cannabis.
A related measure, which passed with 92-37 support, would clear the records of individuals previously charged with possession and allow incarcerated people to petition for sentence reductions based on time already served.
Luke Clippinger, who chairs the House judiciary committee and serves as a Democratic delegate, characterized the bills as crucial in addressing past convictions.
"Those thousands of incarcerations have not made us safer," he added.
Senators are evaluating different approaches, including one that would bypass the need for a constitutional amendment and allow the General Assembly to develop regulations more quickly.