INTERVIEW — MARYLAND STATE SENATOR RICHARD MADALENO (Democrat, District 18, Montgomery County)

Maryland Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Legalize Marijuana. BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A new approach to the question of legalizing marijuana in Maryland: Let the voters decide. Supporters of a plan to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol in the state want to put the question on the 2018 ballot. This year, you’ll see a two-pronged approach to legalizing marijuana in Maryland. One by way of the lawmakers, while the other is by the voters. “Now is the time to join other states and move towards a sensible system of regulation and taxation,” said Montgomery County Senator Richard Madaleno. Under the lawmakers’ plan, the state would collect $30 an ounce excise tax from the cultivators and a 9 percent sales tax from buyers. Half of the revenue is earmarked for schools, 25 percent for treatment, and the rest for workforce development and public education. Adults 21 or older could lawfully possess up to an ounce and grow up to six plants, while prior convictions for possession of those amounts would be expunged.

Maryland voters may get to decide whether to legalize marijuana in 2018. (WMAL) — ANNAPOLIS – A new effort to legalize marijuana in Maryland would open up the vote to the entire state. Delegate David Moon (D-Takoma Park) tells WMAL some lawmakers that are wary of an outright legalization seem to be more open to the idea of opening it up to a statewide referendum.