The Maryland Senate has advanced a bill to legalize marijuana sales to prepare the state for pending legalization, adopting a series of amendments ahead of a final vote in the chamber that’s expected soon.
The legislation from Sens. Brian Feldman (D) and Antonio Hayes (D) passed on second reading in the Senate on Thursday, an action that comes days after the measure cleared a committee stop.
The House of Delegates already approved its companion version this month. The bills were identical when introduced, but the House and Senate bills have now been amended in different ways.
Members of the Senate first accepted a large-scale amendment that largely aligns the legislation with the House version in many respects. That includes approving numerous technical revisions, changing polices on the structure of the advisory commission and amending definitions related to delta-8 THC that could impact the state’s existing hemp industry. The definition of a social equity applicant was also changed to mirror the House legislation.
The body adopted several revisions that differ from the House bill, however, for example setting the sales tax on cannabis at a consist nine percent rate, creating a new independent agency to regulate marijuana, requiring a process for verifying ID for cannabis consumers at retailers and prohibiting on-site consumption of combustable products.
Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) said last week…
