First: A MMJ bill question. Second: Decriminalization Bill 1: I noticed something I am hoping will not be an issue with the Maryland House and Senate bills for MMJ. It would make marijuana a schedule II drug, but fails to change THC from a schedule I drug to a schedule II. As far as I understand, based on sentence one, anything containing THC would still be a schedule I drug thus even if this excludes marijuana (which is just an assumption, considering that's the point of the law) then any edible would be illegal. Am I overanalyzing or did somebody not think this through hard enough? Brackets indicate removal from the current law. The bold text is added. I used ellipses to cut down on space. This is taken from the House bill but the Senate bill is the same: Article – Criminal Law 5–402. (d) (1) A material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains any of the following hallucinogenic or hallucinogenic–like substances is a substance listed in Schedule I: ... [(vii) marijuana;] 5 ... [(xii)] (XI) tetrahydrocannabinol; ... (D) A MATERIAL, COMPOUND, MIXTURE, OR PREPARATION THAT CONTAINS MARIJUANA IS A SUBSTANCE LISTED IN SCHEDULE II. HB 291 Public Health – Medical Marijuana House: First Reading Health and Government Operations and Judiciary – 2/2 BILL INFO-2011 Regular Session-HB 291 SB 308 Public Health – Medical Marijuana Senate: First Reading Judicial Proceedings – 2/2 BILL INFO-2011 Regular Session-SB 308 2: I did not even realize that this was in the works so I was both speechless and ecstatic when I ran across this today: Criminal Law – Marijuana – Use or Possession of Small Amount House: Hearing Judiciary – 2/22 BILL INFO-2011 Regular Session-HB 606 Establishing that the use or possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana is a civil offense, punishable by a fine of up to $100; establishing that a person who violates the prohibition against the use or possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana shall be issued a citation; establishing procedures for a Code violation proceeding under the Act; etc.
This is pretty interesting. You are right it seems worded funny, to move cannabis to schedule II but leave THC in schedule I. Gonna keep an eye on this. Thanks
I felt the exact same way when I read about HB606. ............. Here is a link to contact representatives and ask them to support HB606. Contact Officials - NORML I'm really hoping this bill passes. People from Maryland, Please spread the word about HB606 and get people to contact their representatives
Yes. What california didn't realize is that bills can be amended. Even though this bill seems jacked up, it can always be fixed. I don't live in Maryland, but I believe that nobody should skip out on the step towards decrim.
I've been waiting a long time for this. Hopefully this passes through, so we got to help promote the cause!
I think you guys have this mixed up, Marylands HB 606 is to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana, which is defined as under 28.5 grams - what I think you are referring to about the rescheduling of THC etc, is none other than your unfriendly DEA and some unsavory elected US congressional DEA croonies. the link below talks about this endeavor more in detail. DEA organic THC approve | Is the DEA legalizing THC? | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment but HB 606, as I read it, does not intertwine with that BS. If I am wrong someone please show me where in HB 606 does it mention anything about rescheduling THC chemical compound, vs the plant which would remain off limits, etc., etc.. I think, Marylands HB 606 is a plan for the delay if not dismissal of the Maryland Medical Marijuana bills SB308, and HB291 - legislature for compassionate use of Marijuana for medically qualified patients. Though SB 308 and HB 291 are small steps in the right direction, they fall far short of what is needed for patients who need the medication, of which I am one. Taking 300mg of morphine plus 60mg of oxycodone daily, my being able to add Marijuana to thwart the addictiveness of the opiates as well as increase their effectiveness - it's a win win. Which contradicts all pain management therapy agreements patients MUST sign and live by to participate in the program - stating they do not and will not use Marijuana while in the opiate pain management program.... go figure, the one med that helps in many areas, including addiction and effectiveness and they prohibit the use of it - I am hoping and praying that these laws change that. After 3 years of prescribed opiates, I've now become completely tolerant to them to the extent that basically all they do for me now is to put me to sleep for maybe a couple of hours, and hardly do anything at all any longer for the pain - as my doses are increased, so does the pain... no end to a vicious cycle other than adding Marijuana and decrease the opiates.. sounds like a plan I can LIVE with... as opposed to one I can DIE from... Any way, if I am mistaken, someone please show me the text of HB 606 rescheduling THC - I didn't see it when I read the bill. Thanks, and keep on posting - they can't keep lying to everyone for ever - spread the truth - It's out there, for the people that want to actually know!
My first thoughts when I saw HB 606 was also joy and the feeling that having this bill on the table would almost ensure that the medical bills become law - but, the further I went in, the more doubt I began to have... if you look at Rep. Joseph Vallario, he hold the key... he chairs the Judicial committee and if he doesn't let the medical bills in for hearings, then they die, just like last year... even though the Senate passed the bill in a landslide... Vallario just let them fade away .. and it starting to look like Deja Vu all over again as HB 606 is already scheduled on Feb 22 for round one discussions... and I didn't see that either SB 308 or HB 291, the medical us bills are in the Judiciary Committee lineup so far - maybe I am paranoid... but, it's not looking good for medical this year either - the one man that holds the key, is waiting on the feds to change the laws before he tales action. yea right Joey... Marijuana Prohibition was and still is w/o any Constitutional Authority The federal government did not have the authority to regulate alcohol, until the Constitution of the United States of America was amended (the 18th Amendment) which then gave the federal government that authority. Only by amending the Constitution could a ban on alcohol be enacted at the federal level, and that should also hold true for Marijuana as well. When the people decided that they didn't like the results of this prohibition, the Constitution had to be amended again to end it. The Constitution has never been similarly amended in any manner to give the federal government any authority over marijuana or other drugs; therefore, the federal government simply does not have this authority. People have been making a case for this for years, the feds aren't budging and he's waiting for something that isn't going to happen.... on the other hand, [FONT="] any proper reading of the US Constitution reveals that the power to regulate or ban drugs such as marijuana would belong to the individual state. If the government of one state decides to allow the unregulated production, possession, and use of marijuana within that state, then it is entirely within its authority to do so, and the federal government has no legitimate authority whatsoever to say otherwise. Similarly, if a state chooses to enact a complete ban on the production, possession, or use of marijuana, then this is also within the authority of that state; an again, the federal government has no authority whatsoever to say otherwise. And still, he doesn't see through the federal cloud of deception... I'll continue praying, but... it doesn't look too good from what I can see and read - [/FONT]
I have the committe assignment wrong, House Committee on Health and Government Operations has held a FIRST READING on HB 291 as of Feb 2, 2011 - so maybe we'll get some justice on this important issue - I'll keep praying!