2024 MD Senate race: on Drugs

Angela Alsobrooks: Blame rising crime rates on decriminalized marijuana

Marijuana : Ban or legal?
• Angela Alsobrooks (D): Legal with limits. "What adults choose to do is their business." Has concern about "impact on youth." As county prosecutor, blamed rising crime rates on decriminalized marijuana.
• Larry Hogan (R): Mixed. Let a companion bill to voter-approved legalization become law without his signature. In 2015 vetoed decriminalization. In 2016 vetoed decriminalization of possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Angela Alsobrooks: Okay with adults using marijuana/ concerned on kids' impact

"I think that what adults choose to do in their time -- be it smoke it, sprinkle it on cereal, whatever it is they do -- I am concerned on the kids' impact, the developmental impact, the ability to get a job. I think most people believe that adults and what they do with marijuana is the business of that adult."

Larry Hogan: Rated C by NORML; no decriminalization; no expungement

NORML Politician Info: rated C
Larry Hogan (R - MD), Candidate in race for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
• Summary: MEDICAL USE /MANDATORY MINIMUM JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION
• Biography: Based on responses to our Maryland NORML's 2019 candidate survey and other available records, Governor Hogan vetoed paraphernalia decriminalization; Vetoed changing public consumption from criminal charge to civil fine; Did not sign expungement bill; Does not support adult use (only supports medical)
• Position on Medical Marijuana: In 2019, Gov. Hogan signed House Bill 17, which for the first time permits state-authorized dispensaries to provide cannabis-infused edible products to qualified patients. It also authorizes academic institutions to obtain research-grade cannabis from state-licensed providers for conducting research trials. Hogan supports medical marijuana but has not called for full legalization.

Larry Hogan: 2016: vetoed decriminalization of marijuana paraphernalia

Marijuana : Ban or legal?
• Angela Alsobrooks (D): Legal with limits. "What adults choose to do is their business." Has concern about "impact on youth." As county prosecutor, blamed rising crime rates on decriminalized marijuana.
• Larry Hogan (R): Mixed. Let a companion bill to voter-approved legalization become law without his signature. In 2015 vetoed decriminalization. In 2016 vetoed decriminalization of possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

David Trone: Rated A by NORML: end war on drugs & expunge records

NORML Politician Info: rated A
• Candidate: David Trone (D - MD): Holds office U.S. House District 6
• Summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE/DECRIMINALIZE/MEDICAL USE
• Position on Marijuana Decriminalization: He supports ending the war on drugs and removing mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders
• Co-sponsored Legislation:
• H.R.3617 - The MORE Act of 2021
• H.R.6129 - Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement Act of 2021
• H.R.2864 - The Clean Slate Act of 2021
• H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021
• H.R.1595 - SAFE Banking Act of 2019
• H.R.2843 - Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act (2019-2020)
• H.R.3884 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019