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Maryland
Maryland House Advances Bill To Regulate Marijuana Sales As State Prepares For Voter-Approved Legalization
![Maryland House Advances Bill To Regulate Marijuana Sales As State Prepares For Voter-Approved Legalization Maryland House Advances Bill To Regulate Marijuana Sales As State Prepares For Voter-Approved Legalization](https://www.marijuanamoment.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/36996972330_84121f496d_k-1000x600.jpg)
The Maryland Home of Delegates has superior an amended invoice to create laws permitting for adult-use marijuana commerce following voter approval of legalization final 12 months.
The laws, sponsored by Del. C.T. Wilson (D), handed on a second studying on the ground on Wednesday, simply days after clearing committee. The Home might want to give last third studying approval to the measure earlier than it probably strikes to the Senate, the place a companion model is scheduled for consideration in committee on Thursday.
The Home was initially set to take up the invoice on Tuesday, however Minority Chief Jason Buckel (R) made a movement to particular order the proposal for the following day in order that members might have extra time to assessment and put together extra amendments.
Wilson, who chairs the Financial Issues Committee that accepted the invoice final week, mentioned in opening remarks on Tuesday that the laws “delivers a promise that the Basic Meeting made to the voters who accepted on a referendum the grownup use of hashish in November of 2022.”
We’re one step nearer to #CannabisReform in Maryland.
HB556 creates an equitable licensing, tax and regulation framework for the brand new hashish business. pic.twitter.com/7AnPzZmmNx
— MD Home Democrats (@mdhousedems) March 7, 2023
“It addresses our society’s shift away from the way in which we have a look at and deal with hashish, confirmed by the voters, and away from the warfare on medicine—away from tearing up communities,” he mentioned. “As a substitute, it regulates hashish as a enterprise, not as a legal exercise, and supplies a secure product for medical sufferers and adults who want to use it.”
“We see this as a chance to maintain our group secure,” the sponsor added. “Whereas some right here might imagine that this can be a cash seize to offer income, we understand as a physique that that’s not the objective. The objective was to take hashish out of the illicit drug market and save the lives of people who might get arrested or might get shot for this.”
Wilson then described quite a few amendments, many technical in nature, that have been adopted in his panel. That included adjustments to provisions regarding supply companies, the mixing of the state’s present medical hashish companies into the leisure market and the way regulatory and social fairness places of work can be structured.
On the ground on Wednesday, members thought of extra amendments from Republicans.
Buckel, the GOP chief, proposed two adjustments, each of which have been defeated.
Considered one of his amendments would have clarified that nothing within the invoice could possibly be construed to forestall employers from disciplining employees who take a look at constructive for hashish.
The opposite Buckel proposal would have clarified that the invoice couldn’t be construed to permit individuals function equipment—along with motor automobiles, plane or boats—whereas beneath the affect of marijuana.
An modification from Del. Jefferson Ghrist (R) that will have outlined how localities might place restrictions on the place hashish enterprise can function additionally failed.
Del. Mike Griffith (R) proposed a change that will have eliminated licensing for hashish consumption amenities from the invoice, but it surely too was rejected.
An modification from Del. Nino Mangione (R) that will have eradicated provisions for the mortgage loss reserve account to cowl loans to hashish companies was defeated.
The physique additionally rejected Del. Wayne Hartman’s (R) modification to permit owners’ associations and landlords to create guidelines on marijuana use.
The Home #CannabisReform invoice creates a licensing, regulation and taxation framework for the brand new leisure hashish business and places fairness on the heart. #Working4MD #mdga23 pic.twitter.com/wKWEq10jkx
— MD Home Democrats (@mdhousedems) March 8, 2023
Right here’s what HB 556 would accomplish:
Hashish can be taxed at six % for the primary fiscal 12 months beginning this summer season. It might enhance by one % every year till 2028, maxing out at 10 %. Medical marijuana sufferers can be exempt from the tax.
Thirty % of marijuana tax income would go towards a group reinvestment fund for at the very least the following 10 years. The invoice additional requires 1.5 % of income to go to localities, 1.5 % to counties and 1.5 % every for a Hashish Public Well being Fund and the Hashish Enterprise Help Fund.
The Marijuana Alcohol and Tobacco Fee can be renamed because the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco and Hashish Fee, which might be chargeable for regulating this system. Underneath the fee, there can be a Division of Hashish Regulation and Enforcement that will be tasked with reviewing and issuing marijuana enterprise licenses.
Current medical hashish dispensaries can be transformed into twin licensees on the similar time that legalization takes impact on July 1 in the event that they’ve paid a payment. Regulators would wish to begin approving extra marijuana enterprise licenses by July 1, 2024.
Social fairness candidates would wish to have 65 % possession by individuals who have lived in disproportionately impacted areas for at the very least 5 of the previous 10 years, attended public college in such an space for at the very least 5 years or meet different criterial based mostly on a disparity research.
A Capital Entry Program can be created to advertise business alternatives for social fairness candidates and supply low-interest loans.
The invoice stipulates that $5 million can be appropriated yearly for grants to present medical hashish dispensaries that type “significant partnerships” with social fairness candidates that includes mentorship, coaching and/or shared enterprise area.
Localities couldn’t impose extra taxes, nor might they prohibit present medical hashish companies that convert to twin licenses from working of their space.
Medical hashish sufferers would have the ability to develop as much as 4 crops for private use, relatively than two beneath the present legislation. They might not need to pay taxes on medical marijuana merchandise.
As a result of the invoice is taken into account emergency laws that will take impact instantly, it have to be accepted with three-fifths of the vote in each chambers to be enacted. The legalization of possession of as much as 1.5 ounces of hashish takes impact on July 1, placing strain on lawmakers to get laws in place for commerce.
On the Senate facet, the companion model is being carried by Sens. Brian Feldman (D) and Antonio Hayes (D). That invoice is predicted to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
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Marijuana Second is monitoring lots of of hashish, psychedelics and drug coverage payments in state legislatures and Congress this 12 months. Patreon supporters pledging at the very least $25/month get entry to our interactive maps, charts and listening to calendar in order that they don’t miss any developments.
Study extra about our marijuana invoice tracker and grow to be a supporter on Patreon to get entry.
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Senate President Invoice Ferguson (D) mentioned final month that he believes the laws “has the opportunity of being a nationwide mannequin.”
“It’s a posh subject. There’s numerous totally different items. No state has gotten it proper,” Ferguson mentioned. “And so what I do imagine we’ve performed successfully right here is put us on the most effective path attainable.”
A spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore (D) informed The Baltimore Banner final month that the governor considers the proposal “a well-crafted piece of laws and is wanting ahead to future collaboration with the legislature.”
The invoice is partly a product of intensive work from bipartisan and bicameral lawmakers who have been a part of Home Hashish Referendum and Legalization Workgroup, which was fashioned in 2021 by Speaker Adrienne Jones (D).
Members have held quite a few conferences to tell future laws following Maryland voters’ approval of a legalization referendum throughout final 12 months’s election, which triggered the implementation of complementary laws overlaying guidelines for fundamental insurance policies like possession and low-level residence cultivation.
Along with legalizing the acquisition and possession of as much as 1.5 ounces of hashish for adults beginning this summer season, the laws may also take away legal penalties for possession of as much as 2.5 ounces. Adults 21 and older will likely be allowed to develop as much as two crops for private use and reward hashish with out remuneration.
Previous convictions for conduct made authorized beneath the proposed legislation will likely be mechanically expunged, and folks at present serving time for such offenses will likely be eligible for resentencing. The laws makes it so individuals with convictions for possession with intent to distribute can petition the courts for expungement three years after serving out their time.
Components of the referendum took impact initially of the 12 months. Possession of as much as 1.5 ounces of hashish turned a civil offense, punishable by a $100 advantageous, with a $250 advantageous in place for greater than 1.5 ounces and as much as 2.5 ounces.
Grownup-use legalization started to advance by means of Maryland’s legislature within the 2021 session, however no votes have been finally held. The Senate Finance Committee held a listening to that 12 months on a legalization invoice, which adopted a Home Judiciary Committee listening to on a separate hashish proposal.
Maryland legalized medical hashish by means of an act of the legislature in 2012. Two years later, a decriminalization legislation took impact that changed legal penalties for possession of lower than 10 grams of marijuana with a civil advantageous of $100 to $500.
Delaware Home Approves Marijuana Legalization Invoice, With Motion Pending On Complementary Regulation Measure
Picture courtesy of Brian Shamblen.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
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Maryland
Maryland issues a new suicide prevention action plan for schools, families – WTOP News
![Maryland issues a new suicide prevention action plan for schools, families – WTOP News Maryland issues a new suicide prevention action plan for schools, families – WTOP News](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SAD_GIRL.GettyImages-1033774340-e1705449585875.jpg)
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Maryland. That’s according to a new suicide prevention action plan produced through the state’s Department of Health.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Maryland. That’s according to a new suicide prevention action plan produced through the state’s Department of Health.
Scott Poland, the director of the Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention at Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology, talked to WTOP about the action plan he authored with his wife, Donna, who is a career educator.
The “Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in K-12 Schools” serves as a reference guide to school administrators and the community, and was developed in cooperation with the state health department’s Office of Suicide Prevention.
Poland said one thing that surprises people is that children as young as 8 years old may consider taking their own lives.
“I hear from school personnel all around the country (asking if they) have to take it seriously (if a fourth or fifth grader is talking about suicide). And the answer is absolutely yes,” Poland said.
Among the data points in the action plan is a survey of students in the “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey of 2021/2022.” According to that survey, 21% of high school students “seriously considered suicide” in the past year, and 27% of middle schoolers considered suicide at some point in their lives.
Poland said it’s important to talk about suicide with young people, and that the idea that talking about it might encourage a young person to consider suicide is a “myth.”
“When we actually bring it up, it gives someone a chance to unburden themselves, to realize that they’re not alone, that there are alternatives and that there is help available,” Poland said.
But he said young people are most susceptible to imitating suicidal behavior: “It is important that we not glorify the suicide victim.”
Instead, Poland said, the emphasis after a suicide should be on healing those affected and helping them find appropriate ways to deal with their emotions and mental health.
The plan released this week includes providing intervention action plans for a young person who may be considering suicide.
“Part of that, of course, is removing lethal means and developing a written safety plan with them,” he said.
Poland said that can include helping people understand “the importance of calling 988, doing things that can calm themselves down,” and reaching out to the nearest trusted adult.
People can reach the national resource for crisis response services and suicide prevention by dialing 988.
Poland said social media is “wreaking havoc” on children’s emotional well-being, often making them feel “not smart enough, not rich enough, not good enough.” Poland said he’s currently working with the state of South Dakota on developing tools to help “young people be a little more mindful and make better decisions about their screen time.”
Poland said parents can help — when it comes to the hours and hours that many people spend online — by modeling healthy amounts of screen time themselves. And he said adults need to think about how they introduce technology to their kids.
“We’re in too (much of) a hurry to give kids smartphones and 24-hour internet access,” Poland said.
“I really have to compliment Maryland,” Poland said, on coming up with the new plan.
Poland said Maryland does not have an especially high rate of suicide, but “I think we all recognize that losing one young person to suicide is one too many.”
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Maryland
Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland
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Game two is coming up for Michigan State football as the Spartans hit the road for an early season Big Ten matchup against Maryland. The Terps have had MSU’s number in recent years, but the Spartans’ new-look team is ready to change that narrative this weekend.
Jonathan Smith and his staff have a lot to work on this week after a lackluster 16-10 win over Florida Atlantic, but we’ve become more than used to slow starts for MSU in their first game so it’s not time to panic just yet.
While the team wraps up their preparations for Maryland, let’s take a quick look at the Terps and see what we can learn about them before the big game on Saturday.
Maryland is off and running in their 2024 campaign and had an absolutely dominant week one performance. The Terps took on UConn at home and came away with an impressive 50-7 win. Sure UConn is an awful football program, but we saw how poorly Michigan State just did against a similar opponent.
Not only was the final score lopsided, but ever major statistical category was as well. Maryland doubled UConn in first downs and rushing yards, threw for nearly 400 passing yards and even won the turnover battle 3-0. The Terps also only had five penalties for 45 yards which is significantly better than MSU’s 12 for 140 yards against FAU.
Sure all of this took place against UConn, but it appears that Maryland is in a very good spot heading into this big week two matchup.
One thing that I thought would be a positive for Michigan State in this game is that Maryland is breaking in a new quarterback as well. The Terps’ quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., went off against UConn and completed 20-of-27 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He also is a capable runner and added 39 yards on the ground, so Michigan State will have its hands full on Saturday slowing him down.
The Terps don’t have one standout running back in the backfield, so that does benefit MSU. They do however have two solid backs in Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray who both ran for over 60 yards and one score each.
The one player however that Michigan State needs to pay the most attention to is wide receiver Tai Felton. He had one of the best Week 1 performances in the country as he recorded seven receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Thankfully MSU’s defense and secondary looked much improved against FAU, so hopefully that carries over into this weekend’s matchup.
The opportunity in front of MSU on Saturday is massive. The Spartans are big underdogs in this matchup which they probably deserve, but a win would do wonders not just for the overall perception of the team but for their confidence moving forward.
I’ve got a strange feeling that we’re going to be very happy around 7 p.m. ET Saturday night.
Maryland
Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some
![Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some](https://thebaltimorebanner.com/resizer/v2/VNZHS3ZRPZFIPLMIQSBCIVIK4M.jpg?auth=ff77372d15f6509b1a1f9c396b1babd2c44c98f67411941eae674ed3f248e4b4&width=657&smart=true&quality=85)
More than 700,000 Marylanders should be able to file their state and federal income tax returns online for free next year, saving residents hours of work and hundreds of dollars on tax software and prep services.
Maryland joined dozens of states Wednesday in a voluntary federal program called Direct File after a test run received positive reviews and showed possible cost savings. Filing paper returns by mail will still be an option.
“It’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said at a news conference in Annapolis.
The first-term Democrat called the program a game changer for Maryland taxpayers that will modernize her agency. It targets low-to-moderate earners with relatively simple tax returns, and is expected to expand over time.
Lierman’s office will partner with the nonprofit Code for America to integrate the Maryland tax filing system into Direct File. Eligibility requirements will be announced in January, the comptroller’s office said.
Gov. Wes Moore, State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo and nonprofit partners joined Lierman for the announcement.
Funds from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 helped build and test the system. The IRS and Treasury Department then invited states to participate.
The IRS has been considering a free e-filing option for low-income American taxpayers for decades, according to the Congressional Research Service. When tax prep companies pushed back, the federal government agreed not to compete with them if they provided free help and e-filing to low-earning taxpayers.
However, many qualified taxpayers were pushed toward paid services, according to an investigation by nonprofit news outlet ProPublica.
The IRS piloted Direct File in 12 states this year. Filers used a laptop, tablet, cellphone or other device to submit income returns and request certain tax credits offered to low-earning individuals and families.
In a survey, nine out of 10 Direct File users ranked their experience as “Excellent” or “Above Average.”
U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 5th District, called paying taxes the “price of our democracy.”
“We ought to make it as easy as possible for people to comply with a legal obligation that they have to support their country, their state and their communities,” he said. “And this system of Direct File does that.”
Robin McKinney, CEO and co-founder of CASH Campaign of Maryland, said easy, free online filing makes the government work more efficiently for citizens and should deliver refunds and credits to taxpayers faster.
McKinney’s nonprofit promotes economic advancement for low- to moderate-income Marylanders and provides free tax help, among other services.
Economic Security Project, a nonprofit that advocates for guaranteed income and economic equity for working families, found that adopting Direct File could mean $355 million in costs and time saved for Maryland’s low- to moderate-earners.
Maryland recently has expanded tax credits for working families, but about $152 million goes unclaimed each year, according to the Security Project’s analysis.
They also estimated that about $148 million could be saved in filing fees and $56 million could be saved in time spent filing taxes.
That money could have gone into Marylanders’ pockets, CASH Campaign’s McKinney said, and it could have gone back into the state’s economy.
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