NewsRegionAnne Arundel County

Actions

Lawmakers talk about legalizing recreational use of marijuana

Posted at 5:47 PM, Feb 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-20 17:57:07-05

Dispensaries are starting to open and Maryland is in the beginning stages of distributing medical marijuana. Tuesday in Annapolis some people wanted to take it a step farther.

A proposed law would allow those over 21 years of age to legally smoke pot, possess up to 1 ounce and grow up to 6 plants.

Not everyone at Tuesday's hearing was on board with this plan.

"Before we move forward we certainly need to take a step back and look at the factors if it is legalized. How will that impact law enforcement? How can they detect if someone is driving impaired?" said Ragina Cooper Averella with AAA of Maryland.

Barry Considine was diagnosed with polio 63 years ago. He was in Annapolis to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. He wants it to be treated like alcohol.

"When we go out on our back deck and she has a beer I want to be able to come out and have my pipe and light my pipe and smoke my cannabis and relax at the end of the day just like my wife," said Considine.

29 other states have approved legal use of medical marijuana.