Former Md. lawmaker Cheryl Glenn charged with bribery, fraud

Veteran Maryland lawmaker Cheryl D. Glenn built her reputation in Annapolis fighting to legalize medical marijuana and trying to ensure that minorities secured licenses to participate in the multibillion-dollar industry.

She was the lead sponsor of the bill that created Maryland’s medical cannabis program, an effort she said was inspired by her late mother, who died of kidney cancer without being able to medically access the drug.

Glenn’s career in politics is halted amid accusations that she took nearly $34,000 in bribes to push legislation to benefit marijuana companies and other businesses.

“We expect our elected officials to put the interest of the public above their own. We do not expect them to sell their office to the highest bidder,” said U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert K. Hur, announcing federal bribery and wire fraud charges that were filed in July and unsealed on Monday.

The charge was presented in a criminal information, a document that can be filed only with a defendant’s consent and that typically indicates a plea deal has been reached.

In charging papers, prosecutors painted a detailed picture of how they say Glenn (D-Baltimore City) accepted cash payments in exchange for supporting measures to expand licensing for out-of-state marijuana companies, create a preference for cannabis companies based in Maryland, relax the requirements to become an opioid clinic director and help a businessperson obtain a restaurant liquor license in her legislative district. [Read More @ The Washington Post]

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