Recreational marijuana bill advances in Maryland House

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland House advanced legislation Wednesday to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, if voters approve a constitutional amendment in November.

The House gave preliminary approval to two separate measures. The first would put the matter on the ballot. The second includes steps that would be taken on moving forward if voters approve, though issues relating to licensing and taxation would be taken up by lawmakers next year.

Under the House legislation, recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over would be legal July 1, 2023.

A final House vote could come Friday. The Maryland Senate would still need to approve. A separate bill to legalize recreational cannabis is pending in the Senate that would put a regulatory framework in place sooner and would not require a constitutional amendment.

Democrats, who control both chambers of the General Assembly, rejected several proposed changes to the legislation sought by Republicans in the House on Wednesday.

One amendment would have only allowed recreational marijuana only in counties where voters approved it, rather than statewide.

Del. Jason Buckel, an Allegany County Republican, said he was concerned western Maryland would end up with too many downsides from legalization, if people from border states pour in to buy marijuana. [Read More @ The Associated Press]