Elton John:

The Main Ingredient:

In late January, Baltimore State Attorney, Marilyn Mosby, said that her office would stop prosecuting people for marijuana possession. She also asked the courts to vacate convictions in almost 5,000 cases involving marijuana possession. While Mosby certainly has good intentions with this new decision, some are wondering why it was necessary at all.

It was in 2014 that Maryland decriminalized marijuana possession in the amount of ten grams or less. Since that time, Mosby’s office has dropped 1,001 cases involving marijuana possession, a total of 88 percent of all cases involving marijuana. However, Mosby wants to ensure that no one is charged with marijuana possession in the future, regardless of the amount they are carrying at the time. She also stated that a person’s criminal history would no longer be considered if they are charged with marijuana possession.

There was no police presence when Mosby announced her decision. Since her decision, police have stated that they would continue charging people with marijuana possession should they carry more than ten grams at a time. They also said that in order for Mosby’s plan to go through, she must coordinate with local law enforcement, something Mosby said she had done.

It is not only the police that do not plan on following Mosby’s agenda. Scott Shellenberger, State Attorney for Baltimore County, says that his office will continue prosecuting marijuana possession cases when the amount carried is more than the ten grams the law allows. Lawmakers have also chimed in, saying that until the General Assembly places an actual law on the books, the laws on marijuana possession, including the decriminalization of it in some instances, will stand.

Truthfully though, that should happen sooner rather than later. Even with the push back Mosby has faced since her statement, police units across the state have already argued that they are focused on stopping violent crimes and do not place a priority on marijuana possession. With a state attorney and law enforcement already stating that they do not consider marijuana possession a serious offense, it is time for Maryland to change its laws.

Looking Glass:

Seals & Croft:

The Cowsills:

The smells, the sound, the feel of summer! Hugh Masekela:

She’s so many women 
He can’t find the one who was his friend 
So he’s hanging on to half her heart 
He can’t have the restless part
So he tells her to hasten down the wind.

Warren Zevon:

Todd and Daryl: