With Gov. Martin O'Malley's signature today on two bills passed by the legislature, Maryland decriminalized marijuana possession and becomes a full-fledged medical marijuana state.
Possession of small amounts of marijuana will no longer be a crime in Maryland under a law passed Monday and sent to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his expected signature.
The latest evidence that marijuana legalization has reached the tipping point comes from Maryland, where a new Goucher Poll has a slim majority for legalization, as well as strong support for decriminalization and overwhelming support for medical marijuana.
Maryland is set to become the 20th state to legalize marijuana for medical uses after lawmakers in the state's senate voted Monday 42-4 in favor of setting up a state-run commission that grants licenses to distribute the drug to approved patients.