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Marijuana smell gives police probable cause to search, Md. high court says
The smell of marijuana emanating from a car gives police officers probable cause to search the vehicle, Maryland’s high court unanimously rules.
Md. high court considers if marijuana smell justifies vehicle search
The mere smell of marijuana emanating from a car in Maryland does not give police officers probable cause to search the vehicle, because the possession of less than 10 grams of the drug is a civil offense – not a crime – under state law, a defense attorney told Maryland’s top court last week.
Why would anyone want to pose as a lawyer?
Arbitrator falsely claiming to be a lawyer heads news summary including marijuana in California, what happens to Merrick Garland and could the Supreme Court handle an election appeal.
Group recommends relaxing marijuana rules for police hiring
Officials are looking to make it easier for people who’ve used marijuana in the past to become police officers in Maryland. The Baltimore Sun reports that the commission that regulates hiring in Maryland has recommended that the state relax a rule regarding past marijuana use for prospective officers. Under the current state policy, people cannot […]
Md. high court will consider constitutionality of pat-downs at traffic stops
Maryland’s top court will consider whether police officers, upon smelling a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle, may frisk all the passengers in a car they have stopped for a traffic violation.
More arrested for marijuana use than for all violent crimes
On any given day in the United States, at least 137,000 men and women sit behind bars on simple drug possession charges, according to a report released Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch. Nearly two-thirds of them are in local jails. According to the report, most of these jailed inmates […]
Md. high court will consider validity of searches based on marijuana smell
Maryland’s top court will consider whether police officers who smell marijuana emanating from a car have probable cause to search the vehicle without a warrant even though possession of less than 10 grams of the drug has been merely a civil offense – not a crime – for the past two years.
Banks out of reach, Md. marijuana businesses eye unique solutions
With state regulators next week revealing the recipients of the first round of licenses for growing and processing medical marijuana, one big question remains: Where does the money go? The federal government is still at odds with the 25 states and the District of Columbia where medical marijuana is legal, leaving banks at a loss for clear […]
Measure to provide banking access for marijuana businesses advances
As Maryland develops it medical marijuana licensing program, one problem persists. Businesses that sell marijuana complain that they have no place to secure their money. A recent Senate committee vote took a step toward addressing those concerns. In a 16-14 vote, largely across party lines, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment that prohibits money […]
Zirkin accuses Hogan of lying about paraphernalia bill
The sponsor of a bill decriminalizing drug paraphernalia is accusing Gov Larry Hogan of lying about the bill in order to thwart a veto override vote scheduled for Thursday.
Veto overrides have both sides looking for votes
ANNAPOLIS — An attempt to override a bill changing how taxes are assessed on online hotel bookings is pitting the Maryland Chamber of Commerce against Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and has some Republican legislators rankled. The bill is one of six that are scheduled for veto-override votes on Wednesday and part of a test some […]
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, […]
