On Monday, Maryland’s House of Delegates passed
a bill that, if approved by the Senate, would eliminate parole or probation
violations for people who “use or possess small amounts of marijuana.” One year after Maryland’s delegates approved
decriminalization of marijuana for possession of 10 grams or less, Maryland’s
General Assembly continues the decriminalization trend.
Proponents
of the bill believe that probation and parole rules should “mirror criminal law”
and not penalize people for offenses that are no longer criminal. Furthermore, delegates who voted in favor of
the bill argued that this bill would help “keep nonviolent offenders out of the
system.” Many delegates hope to continue
passing legislation that eliminates the possibility of parole or probation
violations for offenses that have changed from being criminal to civil. It is counterintuitive to put people in
prison for violating parole or probation for a minor drug offense that is no
longer criminal. The language of the
bill has since changed from using “drug possession” to “nonjailable civil
offenses.”
Opponents
of the bill worry about the link between minor drug possession and the drug
culture as a whole, which has a strong connection to violent crime. Delegates who voted against the bill still
believe it is appropriate and necessary to put parole and probation violators
back behind bars if found in possession of marijuana. Some of these delegates also believe that if
this bill passes, it will result in more drug dealers on the streets, thereby
making communities less safe.
Pro-drug
bills continue to pass in Maryland since marijuana was decriminalized last
year. Last week, a bill passed in Maryland’s
House and Senate that decriminalizes possession of marijuana paraphernalia such
as bongs and pipes. Maryland’s House of
Delegates also passed a bill to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for some
non-violent, drug-related offenses.
If you or a family member has been
charged with a criminal drug act in Maryland and would like a free legal
consultation please contact our office at (301) 854-9000 or visit us on the web
at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/
No comments:
Post a Comment