State lawmakers in Maryland approved a bill Saturday that would decriminalize marijuana paraphernalia. Maryland decriminalized small amounts of marijuana last year, but the law didn’t decriminalize the possession of bongs and other cannabis paraphernalia.
The new law also sets a maximum fine of $500 for smoking marijuana in a public place. There is no public smoking penalty under the current law.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin, has already been approved by the state Senate and passed the House with a vote of 84-52.
Another cannabis-related bill, sponsored by Baltimore City Democratic Del. Curt Anderson, is likely to head to committee this week. That bill would set penalties for using marijuana while behind the wheel, and would also increase the amount of marijuana that can be punishable by only a civil citation from 10 to 20 grams.
Sources:
Photo Credit: sadaton