Bill to decriminalize marijuana approved by Maryland House

annapolis, md. » The Maryland House of Delegates voted Saturday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

TheHouse voted 78-55 for the bill. It would eliminate criminal charges for possessing less than 10 grams — or about one-third of an ounce.

The Senate has approved a similar measure, but changes made by theHouse will require Senate approval to pass the bill before the legislative session ends at midnightMonday.

The Senate had proposed amaximum penalty of $100. The House bill raises the penalties to $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third offense.

The House bill also requires certain offenders — those under 21, and those caught with the drug three times or more— to be evaluated for treatment.

Nina Smith, a spokeswoman forGov. Martin O’Malley, said the Democratic governor will review the bill if it passes the General Assembly. O’Malley, a former Baltimore mayor, has expressed wariness about decriminalizing marijuana in the past.

Republicans introduced several amendments to soften the changes to marijuana laws. One amendment would have required a public service campaign, highlighting the dangers of smoking pot. Anotherwould have kept it a criminal offense to smoke pot in public.

Not one Republican amendmentmadeit through.

Arguments in support of the bill tended to focus on racial disparities in drug law enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union found last year that black people in Baltimore are 5.6 times more likely than the city’s white residents to be arrested for marijuana possession.

If O’Malley signs the bill, it will take effect Oct. 1.