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| Marijuana Laws in Maryland | |||
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| POSSESSION | |||
| Any amount | misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| SALE OR CULTIVATION | |||
| Less than 50 lbs | felony | 5 years | $15,000 |
| 50 lbs or more | felony | 5 years MMS* | $100,000 |
| Within 1,000 feet of school or on a school bus | felony | 20 years | $20,000 |
| Bringing 5 to 45 kg into state | felony | 10 years | $10,000 |
| Bringing 45 kg or more into state | felony | 25 years | $50,000 |
| *Mandatory minimum sentence. | |||
| MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| Paraphernalia possesion, use, sale, or advertising (first offense) | misdemeanor | none | $500 |
| Paraphernalia possession or sale (second and subsequent offense) | misdemeanor or felony | 2 years | $2,000 |
| Any second or subsequent conviction can double first offense penalty. | |||
| DETAILS | |||
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Possession or use of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Cultivation, delivery or sale of less than 50 pounds of marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. For 50 pounds or more, the penalties increase to a five-year mandatory minimum sentence and a fine of up to $100,000. If the sale occurs within 1,000 feet of a school, while the school is in session, or on a school bus, the penalty is up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Bringing 5 - 45 kilograms of marijuana into the state is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Transporting 45 kilograms or more into the state is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Possession, use or sale of paraphernalia is a criminal fine of $500 for the first offense. For a second or subsequent offense, the penalties increase to a term of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. For any second or subsequent conviction, the sentence may double from that for a first offense. |
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Mandatory minimum sentence: When someone is convicted of an offense punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence, the judge must sentence the defendant to the mandatory minimum sentence or to a higher sentence. The judge has no power to sentence the defendant to less time than the mandatory minimum. A prisoner serving an MMS for a federal offense and for most state offenses will not be eligible for parole. Even peaceful marijuana smokers sentenced to "life MMS" must serve a life sentence with no chance of parole. Medical marijuana: This state has medical marijuana laws enacted. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant and emerging research suggests that marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors, and are neuroprotective. For more information see NORML's Medical Marijuana section. Hemp: This state has an active hemp industry. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. that contains minimal (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Various parts of the plant can be utilized in the making of textiles, paper, paints, clothing, plastics, cosmetics, foodstuffs, insulation, animal feed, and other products. For more information see NORML's Industrial Use section. |
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