Updated Apr. 3, 9 p.m. — The House Judiciary Committee killed a marijuana decriminalization bill yesterday by giving it to a task force to study for two years. Del. Joe Vallario, the powerfull chair of the judiciary, would not bring the bill to a vote.
This is the second straight year that a decriminalization bill sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore, passed overwhelmingly in the Senate—only to die in Vallario’s committee in the House.
Vallario has long been an opponent of decriminalization.
Under the task force measure, several marijuana bills, including one aimed at legalizing recreational use, was bundled for study by a task force that will report back to the governor by December 2015.
The task force plan must pass both chambers to go into effect–and is likely to see contentious floor debate in the House on Friday, Apr. 4.
Zirkin’s chief of staff, Ryan Lhotsky, said there was still a chance the bill could be revived in the conference committee before the session ends—but if not—would be reintroduced next year.
“We’re not giving up hope on this bill yet,” Lhotsky told the Spy in a brief phone call on Thursday. “The senator has said that if decriminalization doesn’t go through this year it will be the first of his priorities next session.”
The bill would have made possession of 10 grams or less a civil offense with a fine of up to $100 dollars on the first two offenses. A third offense would have allowed judges to order drug treatment.
James Franke says
Posted on Facebook 9PM April 3.
https://www.facebook.com/HeatherMizeur
Heather Mizeur for Maryland
Rumors of the death of our marijuana decriminalization bill in the House were premature. Indeed, we intend to show just how alive it is tomorrow when we offer amendments on the floor to eliminate the task force language and let the real bill get an up or down vote. I have been working with a team of colleagues on alternative strategies all day and our vote count is looking promising. But we can’t take anything for granted. This is still an uphill battle. Call your Delegates first thing in the morning and ask them to reject the task force and support the Black Caucus floor amendments to restore the decrim bill and pass real marijuana reform this session!