Hot on the heels of the introduction of a bill to tax and regulate marijuana in Maine earlier today, Delegate Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore) has filed legislation in Maryland that would end his state’s prohibition on marijuana and regulate its possession, use, and sale for adults over the age of 21.
House Bill 1453 would create a system to regulate and tax cannabis in a manner similar to how the state handles alcohol. It would instruct the Maryland comptroller to license marijuana retail stores, wholesale facilities and testing facilities and apply an excise tax of $50 per ounce on wholesale sales. The excise tax revenue would go to fund treatment programs to prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. You can read the full text of this proposal here.
If you live in Maryland, please take a moment and use NORML’s Take Action Center here to easily contact your Representative and urge him or her to support this important legislation.
MARYLAND: Click here to urge your elected officials to support this legislation
The winds of reform are blowing strongly at our backs, with Maryland entering the fray, there is currently a total of six states (Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont) with pending legislation to legalize marijuana for adult consumption. Check out the full list of pending state legislation here and find out if your state is considering marijuana law reforms in this legislative session.
Well that’s a start.
Think of all the rural farmland that cam be regenerated through such a “green” plant, and cities like Baltimore Annapolis and salisbury needing this leave way to continue a better life for all ages, plus all the rich waterfront summer home owners that will want to smoke when they come down, and then there is all the beach traffic that wont have to go through the pains of being stopped in easton on their way to the beaches in Maryland for bringing some pot to the shore for vacationing. Woo we wouldn’t have that stigma of being handcuffed on your way to the beach!
That’s a pretty damned good start.
“…and apply an excise tax of $50 per ounce on wholesale sales.”
It is a ~good start.
To get the most value for our commodity
we would, therefore, need to maximize its potency and usefulness.
Still, that price is a helluva lot cheaper than the legal turmoil it casts upon the upstanding citizens who choose to partake…
~a tax i would love to pay. We could generate a large sum of money through taxation. Also eliminating prosecution, arrest and confinement cost associated with. Go Maryland Bill 1453
When would this be voted on, does anybody know?
~a tax i would love to pay. We could generate a large sum of money through taxation. Also eliminating prosecution, arrest and confinement cost associated with. Go Maryland Bill 1453~
This is fantastic news. Maryland has some of the best farmlands that currently grow substantial amounts of corn. I am no botanist, but I could see how the plants grow similarly. That being a marijuana plant comparing to the Corn stock. It’s shocking that there is no medical clause in this bill. Being that Maryland holds some of the nations top hospitals (http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/md). Seventy to be precise. This plant can bring great therapeutic and healing properties to many patients as seen current medical states of California.
Well, I hope they do it in Maryland.
Then Pennsylvanians will bitch, piss and moan about all the money states around us are making like what happened with casino gambling. People were voting with their feet, cars and by motor coach to go to New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia to gamble at their casinos and play slot machines at their race tracks. Finally the Pennsylvania politicians decided to pull their heads out of their asses, and legalized casino gambling in the state to keep Pennsylvania money in Pennsylvania, and the state gets a nice cut off the top.
Pennsylvania can never be an early adopter of things that make perfect sense. They always have to fuck it up something bad for years before doing the right thing.
I would never be so happy to pay a tax then I would for this. It might even make me break out in song, dance even. >:-D
Norml, does this have any chance of passing?
Actually from what I understand, hemp at least helps restore soils while corn greatly depletes. Rotating between the two crops seems perfect.
Fantastic news! It’s about time!
Good job
I visit Maryland often so I really hope this passes!!! I’m still hopeful that Virginia will get it’s act together but I’m not holding my breath… It’s ironic that the main thing that VA politicians seem to care about is money, and legalization could make plenty for the state if only they could overcome their misplaced bias against it and, for once, do the Will of the People!
I am SO GLAD that there is no medical clause in the bill. Full legalization of adult consumption is the way to go. Limiting cannabis to just a medication is disastrous for personal freedom. This way, everyone can use it however they see fit, so long as they are 21 or older.
And just think of the tourist dollars MD will enjoy!
Maryland has a huge Transportation budget shortfall right now. It’s a big thing the legislature is working on here this session.
One prominent idea floating around is to institute a 5 to 15 cent per gallon tax on gas. This is obviously unpopular with voters.
If they would consider some of the tax from this bill going towards the transportation fund as well, it could be a good sell to the voters and lawmakers.
It will be interesting to see if Governor O’Malley endorses the bill. It’s almost certain he will run for president in 2016.
I hope this actually gets debated (and of course passed) and not treated as a joke.
When will this like others be voted on? I hope its soon and in our life time..
First thing we have to do is discredit O’Malley from veto as he threatened to do last year killing the Medical Bill he wants to be President and doesn’t want this to stop him. He will say he’s going to veto on the baseless uncredible claim that the feds will arrest state employees. This is baseless because in 20 yrs of MMJ no state employee has been bothered. His position is exlusively for personal gain and needs to be exposed so the will of the people and legislature can be carried out.
The more States that get in line the better. This is great news! It can’t come soon enough. I hope other States take note and follow suit.
I love this state. The true land of the free. One of the first to legalize gay marriage and now we may be one of the first to legalize Cannabis for recreational use. Tax dollars will be spent on protecting our cities, reducing overall crime, and making it a better place for my children where everyone, no matter what type of race or sexuality can live like they were meant to…free.
You are missing the most importatant piece of the puzzle. I am an ex educator..I can give you some advice
You can beat big T and Pharma with little effort
There is one quick
Wake up call
To the world
not just the US coorpatate big business machine
I have an answer….you will not believe
If the machine does not …..
Another state on the list, thank you! After one or two states (CO and WA) set a precedent, it was highly probable to become a trend. The outcome would be for all the rest of states to follow similarly because Nixon’s devious scheme to start the drug war, making a travesty of public policy at exorbitant cost. How much has it cost to fund useless agencies that lie to and terrorize the public, creating more harm than good?
http://visualeconomics.creditloan.com/losing-effort-the-united-states-war-on-drugs/
Being Maryland, it would be taxed to the point I will continue to grow my own and I suspect many others will as well. Gambling and excessive taxation of weed is no way to gain prosperity. Doing something with the hemp plant that involves manufacturing and/or production is the answer.
Maryland is already a sub-par medical state; the legislature could never figure that out so it is a misdemeanor you have to go to court for and prove a doc says it’s OK for you to smoke pot because they can’t prescribe it.
Martin O’Malley want’s to be President, this bill will NEVER get passed, even in such a strongly Democratic state.
not only tax revenues but a boon to tourism to these “green” states. I know where I’ll be spending my vacation money…..
NORML,it looks like it’s all coming down and when the history of all this is told, you guys name will come up again and again. I have been self medicating for almost 50 years and have always been afraid of going to jail for it. That’s what this is all about for me. No more risking my freedom just to be well. You guys have fought a long diligent fight and have never wavered. Thank you for all you do and for all you’ve done.
I got busted for growing my own. Half the local police force went through my underwear drawer. I’m just glad they didn’t bust in with body armor and uzis and kill my pets in self defense. Maryland law assumes growing your own equates to production and distribution. My trial was tediously performed by black-cloak bureaucrats bored by muttering the same lines ad nauseam day after day.
I’m so upset, I might even ‘click-here-to-urge-your-elected-officials-to-support-this-legislation.”
“The excise tax revenue would go to fund treatment programs to prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.”
As Bogie would say, Sweeeeet.
My man has his politics all backwards, the weed is smoked in the counties and purchased in the city. Delegates in those counties will be spanked by hordes of soccer moms if they pass this bill. And the gubner signs it. Squash. Dead before this story broke , man. And I want it, for real medical reasons.
We grow up around Camp David, in that area of the mountains and hills, and truck it straight to 83 right into the city. Distribution points all along the way, man there would be tons of cash. Al Capone would walk again for that money.
Way to go Maryland! From your neighbors in Pennsylvania. We too have introduced a legalization bill. Bet you’ll get it before we do.
ABOUT DAMN TIME BALTIMORE!!!!!!!
I read this as, “They would charge $50 and ounce wholesale” Goddamn am I disappointed.
Its about time, Spread the truth. Weed is the cure.
ITS ABOUT TIME WILLLLBUR.IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES– Taxes,insurance,Stock Market etc.
O’Malley would be smart to endorse hemp and cannabis. Both are necessary for healthy immune system and healthy ecosystem. our bay is sick and law enforcement has botched this issue arresting peaceful no victim “offenders” stealing millions on raids. this has cost maryland law enforcement and its judicial system to lose all credibility on this issue with the people. the people are done with big business dictating our laws. we need to tell these legisators who wont even discuss the issue to enjoy their last term and vote them out. cannaoil is so scary to the oil industry, and mmj to the cancer and big pharma industy. this will shake up the status quo on who remains the wealthy. our bay is so sick and no one at the cbtrust fund or any other state agency will have a rational discussion or even open it up for debate about hemp’s abilities to “clean up”. I’m done with these so called industry experts. I’m done with these law enforcement agencies. I’m done with these politicians who refuse to discuss an issue many taxpayers/voters feel is lifethreatening. I will never forget the gop candidate that “gladhanded” me and asked what was my voting issue. I said MMJ and if you are against it i aint voting for you. she laughed in my face. of course she didnt win in 2002, but im sure she never forgot our run in. maybe these legislators can get out of their contributors asses and look at the mess the oil, paper, cotton, pharm/hospital (we have 70 teaching hospitals….ugh) etc etc. THESE LAWS ARE RACIST. in a state that claims to be so highly educated and so uniquely diverse…wake up you horrible bigots! you incarcerate 18-24 black men for cannabis consumption at rates that even your kkk bros would applaud. Stop the state police from using our tax dollars to arrest and incarcerate then TAKE PICTURES WITH rap stars….such a statement to the joke of our mmj laws and racism in maryland. vote hemp!
I know I dont live in this state , but it will set a president for the US as a whole.
SO if there is 16 oz in 1 lb then they are saying they want 800.00 per lb just in tax,
before sale to the public? this seem to be a sales pitch of the 1937 tax stamp act, only worded a little different. The government knew its value in 1937 just like it does today and i think they are tring to play the game with rules that one could consider to be a legal form of Racketeering. I think that to say the government wants a certain profit before sales is wrong. now a certain % of the profit after sales would go over with the people a lot better then to just say “we want x amount of money before sales” again i say thats “Racketeering”. 50.00 / oz is a little steep taxation. its kinda like saying if you put a new tire on your car it would cost a 100.00 but we need another 50.00 to air it up and were the only ones with the air.
Come on Senators, put a plan together that works for everyone. you didnt put this plan together for the alcohol, and tobacco Industry. so why try to pull the wool over the eyes of the beast.
I know you work hard to get things moving , but hey like we have to do to pay all of our bills and survive…..work a little harder…
dont set up a plan that is going to fail. read the Pamphlet ” common sense” by Thomas Paine. being over taxed will only cause more problems.
good luck and i respect your admiration on such a difficult issue.
history is what we make everyday. but to be in you have to make it……
enjoy and always
thanks for reading
chris
It’s about damn time!!!!! I couldn’t believe my ears this morning as I was listening to the radio on my way to work. I was smiling ear-to-ear as if I had just won the lottery. I hope that our politicians have taken note that our neighbors to the north (Canada) are making huge profits from the hemp textile industry. IF this legislation takes a true footing in the US … nation-wide, I can see the US hemp textile industry blowing away all the cash crops that we currently have (i.e. wheat,corn, etc.), let alone using hemp in a recreational sense and earning profits from that taxation. Hemp grows quicker than a tree, so cultivation and rotation of fields will yield profits for whatever the purpose is for usage (textile related). The US has been so back-ass-wards when it comes to the legalization of hemp. Thank god for politicians who grew up in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s and are now in the position to move the US in to the 21st Century by introducing this sort of legislation. Bravo! Not only will this measure alleviate the unnecessary economic burden that has taken a toll on our court systems nation-wide, the over crowding of jails, and the arrests of some really good, responsible, and upstanding citizens, but will also allow for law enforcement funding to be directed towards other, more criminal initiatives, and also to consider all the positive possibilities of economic growth, the stock market, and the creation of jobs. LET’S DO THIS MARYLAND! THIS IS HISTORY! WE CANNOT TURN BACK NOW …
Maybe MD can use some of the tax money to expand the east bound bay bridge. That would be lovely.
I believe that Maryland will make it because they are a medical marijuana state already and I’m sure that the plant has proved to be safe and effective medicine….and do no harm to their society.
I mailed my delegate, and this is the response I got. The problem is that they refuse to listen to real science and be educated. “Serious medical problems and other issues”? Really? Care to list a few?
I have supported Medical Marijuana legislation the past two years. During the 2011 Session, after a lot of debate the Medical Marijuana bill (HB 291) was made into a “taskforce” to study the issue and to come back with recommendations. When these issues are presented again in my committee, I will support efforts this year to ensure that people who are ill with chronic pain can access this kind of relief. Hopefully, we can make more progress on this issue this year. However, there are serious medical problems and other issues associates with recreational use. At this time I do not support legalizing.
Again, thank you for sending me your thoughts about this important issue. Please feel free to contact me anytime. You can reach me at 410.841.3070 or email at Justin.Ready@house.state.md.us.
Sincerely,
Justin Ready
Member, House of Delegates
This house bill will never pass. The Maryland state legislature is a joke. They are wrapped up right now trying to steal our rights to private sales and private gun ownership, clips etc.
What they will do instead is continue to put speeding cameras all over 95 and 301 because at the end of the day many of our officials are corrupt and don’t give two hoots about civil liberties. It’s all about money, always had been. A $50 tax per ounce says it all!
This state has a strangle hold on the people. Unless you have a typical democrat hack agenda like welfare for losers in Baltimore and more spy camers, good luck getting anything passed. This bill sadly has ZERO chance.
My God Marylanders!! Please, please, please click on the link above to support this bill and send a message to your local politicians. It only took 20 seconds!! Let there be no doubt left in their minds how happy we would be if this bill were to pass. Even if you don’t live in Maryland but know someone who does, call them, email them, text them, carrier pigeon them, whatever…. direct them to this site, have them click on the link above and send a message to their representatives. If they return the favor when it comes time for your state than we will have complete national legalization before we know it!! Ring the bigest bells you can find to alert eveyone in Maryland about this bill. I know people are upset about the tax aspect but lets just get it passed first then change that portion that we don’t like. This is finally a great chance for Maryland to make great and historic changes and progress!! Full Legalization!!! Full Legalization!! I lost my wife a year ago to a 25 year battle with Crohn’s disease. It’s one of the most insidious diseases you could possibly imagine if you have a bad case of it, which she did. Think about a 25 year bout with cancer. MMJ never truly existed here, Maryland say’s it’s a MMJ state but it really isn’t, and MJ was a true miracle medicine for her when we could get it. It gave her an appetite, it calmed her nausea and vomiting, it took away pain in places you and I couldn’t begin to imagine! I saw it all first hand. No joke this stuff really worked! We felt like complete criminals for trying to secure small amounts. No doctor would even consider writing a scrip for it for fear of the law. Every doctor we had, and there were many, just dismissed it right out of hand. No way. We were even afraid to ask after awhile. Couldn’t blame them really. The alternative… try toughing it out with these pills that pass right through your system and never take affect or better yet crush them up and try eating them with apple sauce! It was like eating chlorine slurry! Yuck!! Miserable! Luckily we had friends who for the sake of mercy helped us find it. Sorry for the rant. I miss her terribly! Please click the link above and send your message. Thank you Norml for making this so easy!! I want to kiss everyone there who has ever fought for our rights!! You should recieve the Nobel Peace Prize if we could ever get nationwide legalization. I’ll cast the first vote for you! I have checked into this website for years hoping some day to see this very message!!! And today is my lucky day!! Please help others who battle many, many diseases, ailments and life threatening conditions who would find great comfort from this god giving plant. I don’t even partake but I am ecstatic for those who would be able to legally!! Really!! It is sooooo much better than alcohol and cigarettes. Less crime, less ruined lives, less misery. The war on drugs has failed!! Spend even a week much less years in hospital settings and you would be as excited as I am to possibly see legal relief come to those who could truly use it! I know my beautiful wife would have thanked you for it and so will I. Now please go send your message :)! – Thank You!
Have an idea for all currency monies that can be written on… Simply write get wise n legalize on everyone you come across, may it be a 1,5,10,20, or 100 dollar bill… Imagine the whole currency with a message written on it!
medical problems? again ill say this tell your state reps that GMO foods CAUSES CANCER the WATER we drink KILLS BRAIN CELLS beause of FLORIDE the milk we drink has bad chemicals because PAIN KILLERS are given to cows these are REAL HEALTH PROBLEMS these are what keeps us alive and we consume it every day and how is it that marijuana dose NONE OF THE ABOVE and its still illgal when alot of people do it but not everyone state reps have to know people drink and eat everyday right? so what are the medical problems again?also tell them there differnt types of tar that comes from tobacco then marijuana when inhaled and seems to still be harmless other wise why give it people with cancer? and why not give it to the public when theres never been any big problems with it? are they hinting that the states will mess with it to give us health problems? thats unreal if they finally say marijuana causes big health problems and now you can get cancer from it give me a break im not gonna even get in to the hemp part of it and how much could be made and jobs created if done right that is all
I’ll say it won’t pass. Very unfair!
HellO Bloggers
I live in Maryland, and I am very thankful to Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore), for making a brave stand. Finally, someone with common sense.
Who is the fore-front leading us to our freedom to smoke, NORML that’s who.
NORML has been fighting for us for over 40 years. Now, NORML needs our financial help. The states are following through having a domino effect. Also, the states are starting to realize how much money they can make off of hemp and marijuana. and all the states will fall into place. Thank God for NORML! the war is not over yet. These are crucial times now. In order for NORML to continue slamming the prohibitionist’s. Help NORML help us. Pledge today to donate $20 dollars a month. That is only $.66, come on now, I know you can afford that. NORML really needs are support. Where would we be without NORML. So get out your check book or credit card and show NORML how much you appreciate all the hard work they have done for us. They continually fight for the cause on the front-line. Thank you all who will donate tonight. All NORML’s hard work is finally paying off.
I agree that it’s a start but some of this fine print needs to be reevaluated. From what I read the most is up to 18 plants and they want an up front registration fee of $10,000 and an annual fee of $5,000 for “wholesalers”. Those figures seem disproportionate. If they want those type of fees then it should be 100 plants or provide a sliding scale based on number of plants for individuals who only want to grow for themselves. As with anything political it’s a work in progress.
After reading comments I’m wondering if anyone is reading the actual bill. $50/ounce tax for wholesalers? 10k up front registation fee and 5k per year? I’m all for using this to generate income for the state, schools, roads etc . . . but lets be more realistic.
Agreeing with Tom’s post, it is absurd that in this time, our time, as Americans, the war on drugs is a waste of money, a facade or “pretend” show that the govt cares about your health, by saying drugs are “bad” and will “make you sick” or “ruin your life.” They have so much concern that it’s a federal crime…yet it is only the appearance of concern about your health and is based on lies, funding ineffective/fail agencies with billions annually, and protecting special interests.
Yet tobacco is legal and fertilized with radioactive chemicals, alcohol is legal, pharmaceuticals kill thousands every year because the FDA approves drugs in exchange for money even though the drugs are ultimately experimental when they go on the market. Pharmaceuticals kill more each year than heroin, meth, all the targets of the war on *some* drugs. Tylenol kills thousands a year because it’s so toxic to the liver.
Four corporations essentially control the entire food supply and their concerns are genetically modified foods (staples) like soybeans and corn that they can PATENT (e.g. Monsanto). That and factory farming, which is cheaper meat for greater animal suffering and cruelty, it’s also horrible for the environment. E. coli comes from poo. Factory farms create giant lakes of poo, manure. This seeps into the ground water and irrigation and that’s why we see bizarre food contamination stories about fecal bacteria on strawberries, melons, etc. Vegetables don’t defecate! This problem of factory farming is the standard and mostly operated by undocumented workers because the work and conditions are atrocious. The corrupt USDA is run by the food corporations themselves. Transparent corruption, like the FDA’s program where Pharma can purchase approvals for new drugs for money (kickbacks, really)
And the war on drugs pretends to be concerned about deaths, yet pharma kills more per year than all the DEA drug targets. Tobacco kills even more. The food supply is degenerating into an unpredictable and unwholesome, over-processed, over-packaged joke on nutrition.
There are so many inconsistencies and contradictions in the broken government, oversized and over-budgeted. They waste money imprisoning people in for-profit prisons for a non-crime when they could be collecting tax revenues for legalization and sale of cannabis, whose use is. not. a. crime. and the government’s fake, paternalistic “concern” for people’s health is breathtakingly absurd.
Maryland can change too if the people tell their elected officials to stop being any one of these general explanations for why we people still allow the absurd cannabis prohibition and war on some drugs, to still exist. They’re either:
spineless pansies
motivated by personal enrichment
sycophants
intellectually dishonest or
plain ignorant
@ Brian,
I reread the article, and I can see your point about the fairly high tax on an ounce just for wholesale. However, I still applaud the effort at legalization. My feeling is, let’s try to legalize first–then we’ll iron out the details. It doesn’t always work well in practice, it’s true, but it’s still better than pot being illegal in Maryland. I wonder if booze had similar road bumps when prohibition was ended in 1932(?).
i Agree With The Legalization Of Marijuana. I Have Been Trying To Figure Out For A Long Time Why It Hasnt Been Legalized Yet Alcohol Is Legal And It Causes For Damage Than Marijuana Alone….., But The True Fact Is That Whether Marijuana Is Legalized Or Not It Will Stilled be Used And Abused By Many People….
love and freedom to all country
What about the tax, he want’s $50.per ounce? That is too much…
You guys need to stop worrying about high taxes. The fact that it’s being legalized after decades of false information regarding marijuana use should be enough. Sure, it’s a high tax, but legalization is obviously the first hurdle. Taxes and appropriation of funds need to be second. It’s about priority.
I’d like to drive to Hagerstown and buy bud legally. It’s better than buying from smack-heads or killers. I’m serious. I’d also get the same price as everyone else then, too. You gotta Smoke weed everyday!
I think that the pot that is confiscated by any law enforcement unit should be destroyed because no one can tell if the way it was grown was done in a healthy way. Who knows what those plants ate as they grew and the mess that is made in a bust cut and dry destroy it. This is also a good policy for any medicine or food or beverage produced for public consumption, to know where it came from and was it procured in a clean and healthy environment. This cannot be determined by anyone but the grower. Sure there might be an exception but who will take the fall if some confiscated marijuana makes someone ill. There is already a known standard for the trade. Grow the best most palatable plants for the best use of this herb, for the best health of the partaker. Blessings Michael lr
ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeha!!!!!!
Maryland finally legalized MJ…
Just pre-mature ej.
If you are old enough to serve in our military you are old enough to smoke or drink, including marijuana. The one that would create the least harm to anyone is the marijuana and therefore. maybe twenty one would be a good age to start any of the above. As we know drinking and driving can and does cause unnecessary deaths. Besides the one only smoking marijuana is either working or sitting on the couch, mostly, no time for partying.
Marijuana should be legalized. It’s safer compared to cigarettes and other drugs.
I would absolutely welcome a $50 tax on an ounce of cannabis compared to the laws currently in force here in tobacco country Virginia!
Is 50 an ounce, 10K start up, and 5K to renew each year really too much people? Have you done the math? I didn’t see the part about 18 plant limit but even still, try to follow. 18 plants, lets say 1lb. per plant thats 16 ounces, now we’re at 288 onces, at 250 an oz thats $72,000, minus tax and registration($24400) and your left with $47,600! From one person, from one 10 month grow. still too high?
Who cares about the tax, in Colorado where its legal the prices are way lower than street prices by a lot, it will probably end up cheaper than it is for us now
Sign this petition to the whitehouse for legalization of marijuana nationwide.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/legalize-marijuana-and-stop-destroying-lives-good-citizens/lh7fy5K0
cveutuDKxmoSLsyvrd 4851
Regardless of the specific details written into legalization of cannabis, regardless of unavoidable vampire taxes that inflate a too-large and too-incompetent govt. bureacracy…when 66% or 2/3 of states (33 of them) legalize, regardless of fine print lechery and fleecing, in the end, it’ll be legal in all states (let Maryland be one of the thirty-three states to take a stand). At that point, interstate commerce of cannabis will be minor detail, and the invisible hand of market trends will assume its role. People won’t have to pay premiums in one state when it is legal in all of them.
It is more important to simply pass the legislation, regardless of earmarks or “special” conditions of legalization, or temporary nuisances.
Tim, I completely agree. At this point legalization is now a matter of when not if. I live in Maryland, and unfortunately when I contacted my representative (Justin Ready) urging him to support this issue, he responded (albeit in a timely manner) that he currently supports medical marijuana but not full legalization.
Disappointed as I was to his response the fact that even Republicans are starting to sway on this issue is a positive sign for the future.
When is the vote taking place?
It’s about time and I don’t smoke or drink but it is so obvious that alcohol is far more dangerous and once weed is legal, no one will need to contact the dealers that sell a lot more then just weed and our jail cells won’t be overloaded with good people that do not belong there.
That tax is outrageous. That point aside, I really hope this passes. Marijuana should NOT by illegal in the first place. I’ve seen countless drunk drivers on the road, swerving all over the place and nearly causing accidents (even during the middle of the day). Yet all the cars I’ve been behind that reek of weed, not one of them has ever driven poorly.
I was locked up for selling marijuana a few years ago. It was the only way I could afford food and gas when I was homeless. I refused to live in my mom’s house because my sister was using heroin and my mom was somehow just ok with it. Two years later, my sister is dead after four overdoses, and I’m on unemployment because I’m unable to get a job with my weed record.
Let’s do the right thing and take the cops’ focus off of marijuana so they can take care of the real drug problems in this state. We need to get these weed-smoking “criminals” out of our jails and back into the workforce, so that we have room in our cells for the real bad guys. I’ve seen so many people the past few years die from drug overdoses or drug related accidents. And not one of them had anything to do with marijuana.
It’s time to end the weed prohibition. It is not dangerous. It is no more a gateway drug than cigarettes or alcohol (or even Robitussin and prescription meds). And there are many people out there with health problems who would benefit from this.
I always assumed Maryland would be one of the first states to legalize marijuana, so I have faith that this will pass.
Hello Fellow Tokers
It is great to be alive and witness something I have been waiting for 40 years for emancipation, and it is bitter sweet. I see all the ugliness of the war on drugs. How their misguided attempts to crush our cause.We have persevered. Now it is a crucial time and we have to continue to fight to free ourselves from over 40 years of subjugation. Fueled by prejudice, propaganda, and a relentless effort of some fat-cat oil investors hoping to bring about to manipulate the system to undermine progressive alternate.
If you going to regulate it like alcohol and tobacco..the tax should be the same!
Look, for one thing they have the 411 on Cannabis, they already know the positive health benefits…how much they have already destroyed or put back on the steeets for sale…after taking majority of the tricones off it!!!
Taz with the same tax as Alcohol and cigarettes!!
I am very proud of my State MD, for some of our leaders; like Dr. Cohan and D-Curt Anderson to take a stand for ending the marijuana prohibition laws!!
I give my support!..GO for it MARYLANDERS!!!
“~a tax i would love to pay.”
Zachary please don’t ever repeat that, accept a tax on something because you understand an underlying need for such (ie it’s actually covering a known expense), or accept it as the necessary bribe (as in this case) to have one of your freedoms restored in a limited fashion, but for god sakes don’t say you love it.
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50$ a ounce is steep, and it’s not set as a static amount,it’s set to inflate by CPI each year (translated for Maryland that’s averaging between and additional 1-2$ per year increase). I think that amount even off the bat is likely right at the borderline of providing incentive for black-market players.
The bills transport restrictions for commerce between retailers and wholesalers are not realistic. Another tax is the state wants you to pay 100$ per zip tie (per year) to tag every plant with as well – think license plate\registration per plant. The fees for retailer\wholesaler registration are equally out of whack, 5k application fee, $10k first year if approved and 5k yearly renewals. Frankly this is not the bill you are looking for as written, one of the most restrictive and expensive I’ve read through, it’s clearly a bill aimed at one thing – revenue generation. This bill needs serious work.
First bill though that I’ve seen mandate branding and born-on dating at the wholesalers level. lol
Yes Danny it’s too high, you didn’t subtract any actual production and operational costs other then state excise tax and registration fees, you know like energy, agro materials, if inside lighting and related electrical and hvac, it add up quick son.
Read the definition on the books marijuana is only classified as being “Sativa” by definition and law if you have pure “indica” you are not in violation of fed or state law read the penil code from cover to cover ….the pen is mightier then they think
I am a conservative and have fully supported legalization/decriminalization for near 20 years. I don’t smoke it, however feel similar to many of the stakeholders on here. Don’t get behind the wheel, and don’t blow it in my face, and we are good.
The government needs to stop spending billions on enforcement, courts, and jails for marijuana. Let the consumer go to 7-11 rather than the drug dealer that sells harder chems. Tax it, keeping it at a consumer friendly price point, and use tax revenue to fund education & addiction.
Best of luck. I’m sick and tired of spending tax payer dollars criminalizing marijuana.
I can’t believe this! I was arrested in maryland with 2 ounces about 10 years ago, ruined my life for a period of time. Now they want to legalize it. Since moved to CA. Only wish they had come to their senses 10 years ago.
“It would instruct the Maryland comptroller to license marijuana retail stores, wholesale facilities and testing facilities and apply an excise tax of $50 per ounce on wholesale sales. ”
It’s a plant people. It should be way less than 50 us dollars per ounce. Let alone tax’ed 50.00. When will all this greed stop and people wake up. Grow it, give it away. Plant it everywhere!
If you want it fight for it. Forget the fine print. Fight.
Everyone write to legalize.
I’ve notified my reps through Norml’s and MPP’s site, but have not heard back yet. I guess I’ll have to call them dudes up.
Make it legal it would help the state to get out of debt
It is not going to work very well if the tax is $50.00 per ounce is way to much tax. $5.00, 10.00 tops for an ounce. The black market will prevail if you make it too expensive.
50 per ounce just too damn much I could see maybe 10 percent but I guess I’ll just have to keep buying it illegally…
Hi my name is shawn. I was struck by a car back in febuary while I was working on the side of the road for state highway administration. I am 21 years old. From the accident I suffered a full body trauma broken leg, broken jaw, brain injury, traumatic brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus injury is the omly lasting injury, my arm is still fully paralyzed. Doctors do believe it is goimg to work again but take a long time. I took no meds befire the accident now I am on methadone and lyrica for pain relief but it still dosent work well. When Ismoke marijuana thr pain completely goes away.. I now suffer from depression I take welbutrin and zoloft, but it works but not well.. I rarley can laugh when I and not smoking marijuana because when I smoke marijuana I laugh smile and just have a better qualoty life.. I take oxycodone fir the pain in my leg and when I have pain in my working arm from over use.. It works but not very welk .. When I smoke marijuana it takes the pain away..lawmakes need to make marijuans legal because the sale of it would fix the economy from creating job. Everyone would feel better, instead of people treating there pain with the highly addictive ocycodone and other narcotics. Instead they could smoke the non addictive drug .. Weed!! I have seen and heard of so many storys of people breaking bones and thry get perscribe opioids or narcotics and they end up developing a addictionthen they start abusing them and then so on and so on then they end up trying heroin and ruin there life.. This bill needs to be passed I meen its a must.
Got my bong and ezwiders ready, I’ll let them work out all the details.
they should stop paying attention on bust marijuana when they could use the money to bust the drugs that ACTUALLY HARM YOU!
all I have to say is wut ever happen to “land of the free”?? america has gone curropt yrs ago..Shit are own constitution was written on hemp paper..then greedy people cried bout not having money from their trees & lumber mills, & the hate war began..grow up & stay true to wut america is really spose to stand for.the opportunity for freedom & a better way of life, nsted of holding everyone down by rules like hitler minus the manslaughter..
You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write
All those looking for the reliable and natural legal budsmust be aware of a few features that they should consider while makingthe selection. Potency, natural make, and quality are a few that must be sought for.
can never get sick of any kind of strain, all weed is beautiful and? deserves love!
As a wise man once told me, Just smoke it yo!!
“God made the birds, the bees, the flowers, and weed trees.”
Cannabis is probably the world’s most popular casual use drug that is illegal in most nations. It has become so widespread that many people wouldn’t think twice about asking to light up at a friend’s or to smoke in public places. It is an ancient drug that has been used throughout history for medical, magical, and pleasurable purposes. Thanks to the scare-tactics of propaganda in the 1960s and 1970s, there are many myths surrounding the drug – this list intends to put things straight once and for all.
10
Fat Storage
Cc Upinsmoke Ms 5
Myth: Cannabis’ active ingredient THC gets stored in body fat and its effects can last days or even weeks
Fact: It is true that cannabis (like many other drugs) enters the body’s fat stores, and it is for this reason that it can be detected long after use, but that is the only part of this myth which is true. The fact is, the psychoactive aspects of the stored cannabis are used up quickly and while the residue of the drug remains, it no longer has any effect on the person. Furthermore, the presence of THC in body fat is not harmful to the fat, the brain, or any other part of the body.
9
Memory Loss
Cannabis-Pipe-Made-From-Carrots-And-Pineapple-Called-A-Bong-Being-Smoked-Anon
Myth: Cannabis use causes memory loss and a general reduction in logic and intelligence
Fact: This is another myth which has elements of truth to it – no doubt the reason it is believed by so many. Laboratory tests have shown that cannabis diminishes the short term memory – but only when a person is intoxicated with it. A person who has taken cannabis will be able to remember things learned before they took it but may have trouble learning new information during intoxication. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever to suggest that this can become a long-term or permanent problem when sober.
8
Scientific Proof
Cm518~Can-T-We-Just-Get-A-Bong-Posters
Myth: Cannabis has been scientifically proven to be harmful
Fact: Let us start with a quote: “the smoking of cannabis, even long term, is not harmful to health.” This quote comes from the peer-reviewed British medical journal The Lancet (founded in 1823). There is certainly no scientific consensus on cannabis use, and certainly no scientific proof that casual use is dangerous to health.
7
Loss of Motivation
Bank-Of-Ganja-Weed-Poster
Myth: Cannabis use causes apathy and a lack of motivation
Fact: In fact, studies done on test subjects in which they were given a high dose of cannabis regularly over a period of days or weeks found that there was no loss in motivation or ability to perform. Of course, abuse of any intoxicating substance over long periods will reduce a person’s ability to function normally, but cannabis is no better or worse. Furthermore, studies indicate that cannabis users tend to have higher paid jobs than non-users.
6
Crime Statistics
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Myth: Cannabis causes crime
Fact: Some people believe that cannabis use leads to violence and aggression, and that this, in turn, leads to crime. But the facts just don’t stack up. Serious research into this area has found that cannabis users are often less likely to commit crimes because of its effect in reducing aggression. Having said that, because of the number of nations that have outlawed cannabis, most users in the world are technically classified as criminals merely for possessing the drug.
5
Braindead
Picture 1-67
Myth: Cannabis kills brain cells
Fact: Cannabis does not cause any profound changes in a person’s mental ability. It is true that after taking the drug some people can experience panic, paranoia, and fright, these effects pass and certainly don’t become permanent. It is possible for a person to consume so much of the drug that they suffer from toxic psychosis, but again this is not unique to cannabis and is very rare.
4
Gateway to Other Drugs
Picture 2-45
Myth: Cannabis is a gateway drug – in other words, it leads to abuse of more potent drugs
Fact: For most people, cannabis is a terminus drug, not a gateway drug. Users of high strength drugs such as heroin or LSD are also statistically more likely to have used cannabis in the past, but this is just toying with statistics; when comparing the number of cannabis users with hard-drug users, the numbers are extremely small – suggesting that there is no link at all.
3
Modern Potency
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Myth: Cannabis is more potent now than in the past
Fact: The reason that this myth has come about is that samples taken by drug enforcement agencies are used to test for potency but they are a tiny sample of the cannabis on the market. The vast majority of cannabis taken today is the same potency as it has been for decades. In fact, even if the potency were greatly higher, it would make little difference to the user as cannabis of varying potency produces very similar effects. Furthermore, there is statistical data on cannabis potency dating back to the 1980s which is more reliable than present methods of detection, and that shows little or no increase.
2
Lung Damage
Marijuana
Myth: Cannabis is more damaging to the lungs than cigarettes
Fact: First of all, people who smoke cannabis but not cigarettes tend to smoke far less frequently – thereby limiting their exposure to the dangers in the smoke. Furthermore, smokers of cannabis are not inhaling the many additives that go into commercial cigarettes to make them burn down faster or to stay alight. There has even been some evidence that marijuana smoke does not have the same effect on the bronchial tubes as cigarette smoke, so even heavy use may not lead to emphysema.
1
Cannabis and Addiction
Picture 3-18
Myth: Cannabis is highly addictive
Fact: Less than one percent of Americans smoke cannabis more than once per day. Of the heavy users, a tiny minority develop what appears to be a dependence and rely on the assistance of drug rehabilitation services to stop smoking but there is nothing in cannabis which causes physical dependence and the most likely explanation for those who need assistance is that they are having difficulty breaking the habit – not the “addiction”.
This list was inspired by the excellent work of the .
Sources:
1. Mellinger, G.D. et al. “Drug Use, Academic Performance, and Career Indecision: Longitudinal Data in Search of a Model.” Longitudinal Research on Drug Use: Empirical Findings and Methodological Issues. Ed. D.B. Kandel. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1978. 157-177.
2. Johnson, L.D., et al. “Drugs and Delinquency: A Search for Causal Connections.” Ed. D.B. Kandel. Longitudinal Research on Drug Use: Empirical Findings and Methodological Issues. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1978. 137-156.
3. Schreiber, W.; A. M. Pauls and J. C. Kreig (February 5, 1988). “[Toxic psychosis as an acute manifestation of diphenhydramine poisoning]“. Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift 113 (5): 180–183. PMID 3338401.
4. Degenhardt, Louisa, Wayne Hall and Michael Lynskey. “Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis,” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 71 (2003): 42-4.
5. King LA, Carpentier C, Griffiths P. “Cannabis potency in Europe.” Addiction. 2005 Jul; 100(7):884-6
6. Turner, Carlton E. The Marijuana Controversy. Rockville: American Council for Drug Education, 1981.
7. Stephens, R.S., et al. “Adult marijuana users seeking treatment.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 61 (1993): 1100-1104.
I’m so pleased that this bill is getting the attention and support it deserves. A few weeks ago I used the Action Links on NORML’s state page on Maryland to contact our state Senator and Representative as well as the State representative for Montgomery County, and my county’s rep actually sent me a letter back in which he expressed his support for the legalization of cannabis. That action alone shows me that at least some people in our government are willing to do what’s right, instead of continuing to spread lies and contributing to the crimes and life-ruining criminal charges associated with the underground “Black Market” for cannabis that has been caused by the policy of prohibition.
As many of you have mentioned, the current bill would impose an extremely high tax on a product that can be grown and prepared with very little cost. While this certainly seems unfair to your average user, it’s certainly better to have cannabis legalized and taxed to excess than to be thrown in jail and have your future all but taken away due to a harmless activity. As others have said, we can always smooth over the rough spots after the law has been in effect for a while; that way we can address problems that we may not have prepared for, while allowing people to smoke without fear of arrest and criminal charges while the government does its usual thing and takes forever to come to a simple decision…:)
But in fairness, in regards to the issue of cannabis legalization, I am very proud of my state (at least, on this issue; I can’t say the same for Maryland’s already excessive taxes and unfair laws that hurt businesses, but that’s another discussion altogether:))
And remember, if this law ends up dying during this legislative season, at least we can know that more and more people are waking up to the truth about prohibition and cannabis, and each successive season more and more people will be more likely to vote in favor of sane marijuana policy, and step onto the right side of history on the issue of marijuana.
Hello Fellow Tokers
The only problem I see is the $50 tax on an ounce. Are you kidding me, that is way to high, and the black market will prevail. Maryland legislators definitely have to adjust that, other than that. Looks good Listen to NORML they will help you.
That brings to mind, How much I love the people at NORML. What would it be like if not for NORML?? I thank you NORML, and the check is in the mail. $100. My norml donations is $25,per month I just raised it, from $20.00,to $25 dollars a month that is only $.83 cents a day.Come on people,don’t just talk the talk, you need to walk the walk. NORML needs Money, they a non-profit organization, So where does their money come from? DONATION’S so do your part to help NORML,help us.Get your checkbook, credit card or debit card. Or you can scrape off the top, and buy a certified check or money order, and send it to NORML. Be generous
People at NORML are going to all the states to smooth ruffled feathers, and focus on legalization, process. NORML will help them.But that takes money, hotel,food car rental’s the list goes on and on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgWWBou1IbE