Maryland State Senate building Maryland lawmakers approved legislation to refer to voters the question of state legalization of cannabis for adult use on the November 2022 ballot. The proposal, HB 1, passed the House in a vote of 96-34 and the Senate in a vote of 29-17. As the bill is a voter referendum, it cannot be vetoed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R). Separately, HB 837, the companion legislation that includes initial steps for cannabis legalization that would be contingent on voter approval of HB 1, passed the House in a vote of 92-37 and the Senate in a vote of 30-15. The bill now heads to Gov. Hogan’s desk. Both the House and Senate vote margins would be sufficient to override a potential Governor’s veto. Enabling legislation adopted in anticipation of passage HB 837 details the initial steps of cannabis legalization, such as possession limits, limited expungement, funding for minority- and women-owned businesses, and a community reinvestment and repair fund. The bill does not create a licensing or regulatory framework, and despite the likelihood that voters will approve the measures in November 2022, simple possession and limited home cultivation would remain illegal in Maryland until July 1, 2023.
The Leaf Online, 04/28/2022 03:30:00
Open article: https://www.theleafonline.com/c/politics/legislation/2022/04/maryland-vote-2022/