On Tuesday night, Marylanders voted in favor of legalizing marijuana. Starting on July 1, 2023, adults 21 and over will be able to possess, smoke, and grow marijuana. However, there is some fine print to this new legislation.
The government is only legalizing the possession of up to 1.5 grams of marijuana. Anything between 1.5 and 2.5 grams will be punishable by a civil fine of up to $250. Anyone found in possession of more than 2.5 grams will be punished with 6 months in jail or a $1000 fine. Punishment is also at hand when smoking cannabis in public and unlicensed selling of the drug, which will also remain illegal with the potential for severe penalties if caught.
This new initiative will also allow Marylanders to grow at most two cannabis plants in their backyard, that is, as long as they are out of public view.
Maybe the most significant impact of this new legislation is all criminal cases where marijuana possession was the only charge will be dropped. Prisoners serving time for marijuana possession will also be able to petition for resentencing. When asked how the legalization of weed would change the attitude toward smoking in students, B-CC Senior Oscar Thornton thought it “wouldn’t change anything because it is still against the law for students, and those who already smoke don’t care about the legality of it.” Time will tell if the stigma in underage users changes and B-CC students are going to be the first witnesses.