Another (small) step in the right direction! Md. House bill excludes pot as a parole violation By Ovetta Wiggins and Jenna Johnson March 23 at 9:28 PM People on parole or probation in Maryland who use or possess small amounts of marijuana would no longer be in violation of their sentences under a bill that was narrowly approved by the House of Delegates on Monday. The bill, which passed by only 10 votes, comes a year after Maryland voted to decriminalize the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana. It will head to the Senate for consideration. Although proponents say it is important for the rules of probation and parole to mirror criminal law, and not to penalize people for offenses that are no longer criminal, opponents of the bill said it would undermine aspects of the criminal justice system that are intended to keep former inmates on a positive path. Possession of small amounts of marijuana is not a violent offense, said Del. Jay Walker (Prince George's), one of dozens of Democrats who voted against the bill. But drug possession in general, he said, is related to the “drug culture - the most violent culture we have.†“It seems like we don't agree with probation,†Walker said in an interview after the vote. Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery), who sponsored the legislation, described the bill as “an attempt to keep nonviolent offenders out of the system.†“The spirit is to include all offenses that have been moved from criminal to civil,†he said. When it was first submitted to the legislature, the bill specifically mentioned the possession and use of 10 grams or less of marijuana as an act that would no longer be considered a violation of probation or parole. But the bill was amended to remove references to drug possession, which were replaced with more general language saying that a person cannot be sanctioned for a parole or probation violation if they have committed any “nonjailable civil offense.†Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert) said the bill was “another step to make it easier for the drug culture to exist in our state. . . . This is another pro-drug bill in a series of pro-drug bills.†Last week, both chambers approved bills decriminalizing the possession of marijuana paraphernalia such as bongs and pipes. And on Monday evening, the House voted 85 to 55 to get rid of mandatory-minimum sentences for some nonviolent, drug-related offenses. The legislation has changed since it was first introduced, limiting the circumstances that would no longer carry a minimum sentence. Proponents of the legislation say that it would give judges more discretion in setting sentences and that it could cut down on the amount of money the state spends on housing and caring for inmates. Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles) said during a floor debate that the state's current approach to fighting drugs - imposing heavy sentences and locking up users away from society - is not working and needs reform. But a series of Republicans opposed the legislation, warning that it would result in more drug dealers on the streets. Del. Patrick L. McDonough (R-Baltimore County) asked his colleagues if any of them had encountered constituents while campaigning last year who wanted to see more drug dealers on their streets. “Who's the winner? The drug dealer,†McDonough said of the legislation. “Who's the loser? The community.†The legislation dealing with parole was one of dozens of bills taken up by the General Assembly on Monday as it worked to approve them before “crossover,†the day they need to pass one chamber in order to have the best chance of becoming law. Although crossover day was supposed to be Monday, the House and Senate agreed to extend it until Tuesday to give lawmakers time to consider more bills, House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said. The House gathered twice Monday to work its way through a long list of bills. (snipped because it then goes on to discuss other bill having nothing to do with cannabis.) And if you live in Maryland, you might want to correct Del. Jay Walker (Prince George's, Dist 26) opinion about cannabis being the most violent culture. Prohibitionism is the violent culture that infects the peaceful cannabis culture! Cannabis users do not go around with guns forcing people to use cannabis. Yet the prohibitionists (police, DEA, etc) go around using physically brutal methods and imprisonment to force people to stop using cannabis! So who is causing the violence here? His email is here, along with the emails of your representatives- check how your reps voted and either send them a thank you note , or maybe educate them a bit! ! http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hsedist.html Granny