Members of the House decided 86 to 55 in favor of overriding the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 517. Members of the Senate decided 29 to 17 to enact the legislation.
Senate Bill 517 amends existing criminal penalties regarding the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia from a misdemeanor, punishable by possible jail time, to a civil violation. However, amended language also includes a provision establishing a civil fine of up to $ 500 for offenses involving the use of marijuana in public. NORML and our affiliates will be working in the future to amend this penalty.
NORML wishes to thank those of you who took time to write your lawmakers and encouraged them to vote to override the Governor’s veto. We especially thank those with Maryland NORML and their associates in the Marijuana Policy Coalition of Maryland for their efforts.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
