ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A bill was passed in the Maryland House of Delegates that will increase the threshold of what is considered a civil penalty of marijuana possession.
According to HB 550, marijuana possession and possession with intent to distribute will increase the legal amount of marijuana possession from 10 grams to 1 ounce.
The aim is to ensure that a person may not be charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance based solely on the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.
The bill also plans to reduce arrests predominately affecting communities of color, save tax payer dollars and avoid disruption in lives due to unnecessary involvement in the criminal system.
This brings the state on the same level of 23 others with a similar threshold. Missouri and Hawaii have the lowest in the nation.
