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Hospitals face rising drug costs, too
Costs for hospitals on inpatient drug spending have increased more than 20 percent annually, forcing hospitals to find ways to contain the rising prices as they try to balance their budgets.
Baltimore drug arrests drop by nearly 50 percent in 2015
Drug arrests in Baltimore dropped by nearly 50 percent last year. An analysis of drug arrests by the Baltimore Sun shows that fewer people were arrested in 2015 for possession and distribution of marijuana and other illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine. Small amounts of marijuana were decriminalized in 2014. Officials say the drop is the […]
What a jury can tell us about marijuana laws
I’m writing this the day after I tried a case where my client was charged with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. This case seemed way over-charged and the jury agreed: it came back after with a defense verdict after 3 minutes of deliberations. The case was tried in a traditionally conservative county, […]
Md. panel: Restructure penalties for drug possession
Maryland should save prison beds for serious and violent officers, improve probation and parole supervision and take other steps that could reform the state’s criminal justice system and save money, a panel appointed by the governor recommended Thursday. The Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council says its 19 recommendations could save the state a projected $247 million […]
Commentary: How lawyers can help fight the heroin epidemic
Working to eliminate naïveté, ignorance and even arrogance with regard to the very real threat of the opioid epidemic is a worthwhile means of serving the public.
Md. dentist gets probation in child-sex-for-drugs case
HAGERSTOWN — A dentist has been sentenced to two years’ probation for arranging to have sex with a 12-year-old girl in exchange for prescription painkillers and cash. The Herald-Mail reports that Vaqar Choudry of Germantown was sentenced Thursday in Hagerstown. Circuit Judge James Sherbin suspended a five-year prison term. The 44-year-old dentist was convicted in […]
All clean, except on the drug test
One man's unusual explanation for how marijuana got into his system.
Wicomico County medical marijuana facility proposed
HEBRON — A company is hoping that its plan to build a medical marijuana growing facility in Wicomico County is one of 15 applications approved by the state of Maryland. WBOC-TV reports that BioCannatix says it is in the process of applying for a grower’s license to build a facility near Hebron. BioCannatix says the […]
Interim heroin report focuses money on treatment, prevention, enforcement
ANNAPOLIS — State officials say they plan to pump more money into drug prevention, treatment and interdiction as part of an effort to deal with the state’s heroin problem. The recommendations are part of an interim report released Tuesday from the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force convened earlier this year by Gov. Larry Hogan. […]
Baltimore Board of Estimates to consider $80K settlement of false arrest lawsuit
Baltimore’s Board of Estimates is scheduled to consider Wednesday a $80,000 settlement with a Laurel man who alleged he was falsely arrested on drug charges more than three years ago. Antonio Smittick alleged he was detained and questioned by police in May 2012 after an officer “supposedly witnessed” a drug deal in the 1900 block […]
$3M lawsuit: Police raid set up to help informant get back ex-girlfriend
Elaborate plans to win back an ex are typically fodder for romantic comedies. But a Baltimore man is not laughing about a scheme involving a police raid on his house allegedly set up to help a police informant try to win back his ex-girlfriend. Michael H. Williams is seeking $3 million from several city police […]
Prosecutors drop felony drug charges against Freddie Gray
Baltimore city prosecutors on Thursday dropped felony drug charges against Freddie Gray, according to his attorney. Gray's trial had been scheduled to go on trial next month in Baltimore City Circuit Court for possession with intent to distribute.
