How Legal is Marijuana Paraphernalia in Maryland?

            Much has been made about the 2014 decriminalization of possessing small amounts of marijuana, less than 10 grams, in Maryland. When the law was passed it did not legalize paraphernalia, the pipes, bongs, and other items used to smoke marijuana. As a result people could be criminally charged for possessing a pipe – but not for possessing the marijuana that might be used in that pipe. Recently, the Maryland House and Senate approved a bill that legalizes drug paraphernalia and doubles the amount of marijuana subject to civil possession penalties. It would still have to be approved by the Governor.
            “We made the possession of marijuana a civil offense, but the hardware used with it is still criminal, so you had this disjointed law that didn’t make any sense,” says Sen. Bobby Zirkin. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
            In other words, if you don’t know the law in Maryland you might end up needing a criminal defense attorney.

About Tim Leahy

Timothy P. Leahy, a partner at the firm, practices law in Maryland and the District of Columbia and is a member of the American, Maryland, D.C, and Prince George’s County Bar associations. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Baltimore Law School in May 2000, earned his M.B.A. in 1993 at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, and his B.S. in Transportation & Logistics at Maryland in 1990. Timothy brings over 10 years experience in business to his practice of the law and focuses on litigation and general practice matters. A former home improvement contractor and army reservist, he volunteers with Christmas in April and has coached for the Bowie Boys & Girls Club. He is a Board member of his homeowners association, pro bono counsel for Bowie CLAW, and a volunteer Mediator for the District Court of Maryland. Timothy moved to Bowie in 1982 and lives there with his wife of 24 years and two sons.
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