In late March, the Maryland Senate approved a law that would make a number of changes to the state’s marijuana laws. The bill, which nearly triples the amount a person would have to possess to face criminal charges, also makes driving under the influence of cannabis an offense similar to drinking and driving. Under the law, it would be illegal to smoke either as a driver or a passenger.
The law, if approved by the House and signed by the Governor, would make possession of less than an ounce a civil infraction. Under current law, a person can be charged with a criminal offense for possession of 10 grams (an ounce is approximately 28 grams).
In early April, the Senate also approved a proposed law that would provide specific benefits to minorities who want to become licensed medical marijuana growers and processors.
Highly Respected Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
For more than three decades, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has fought for the rights of people facing criminal charges in Maryland. He uses a thorough approach to criminal defense, carefully gathering and safeguarding all evidence in your case. He’ll ensure that law enforcement officers followed proper protocols, so that your constitutional rights were not violated.
Attorney Smith is well-respected among clients and colleagues, earning recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer, as well as an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System (the top rating possible). Honored as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, he has also received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He also holds a 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO.
Proven Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer
We’ll aggressively protect your rights in a criminal matter Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We defend cases throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
It’s one of those stories you just can’t make up—a New Jersey man, who set out to frame his ex-girlfriend’s new beau by sending phony bomb threats to a police department, not only failed with his efforts, but apparently sent his fake threats to the wrong police department. 
A Baltimore daycare center has been temporarily shut down after an 8-year-old girl died there. Authorities say they have video footage of a daycare worker violently snatching the child from a crib, slapping at the child and stuffing pillows over the child’s face. Baltimore police were called to the daycare facility in late May when other care workers found the child to be unresponsive. Initially, the woman charged with the child’s care said that she had fed the girl, wrapped her in a blanket and put her down for a nap. After watching footage collected from video cameras at the facility, police arrested the daycare worker, charging her with first and second degree murder, first and second degree 
Homicide investigators at the Maryland State Police have arrested two additional suspects for the murder of a 57-year-old Salisbury man. Anthony Cropper, of Salisbury, was shot just after midnight on Saturday, June 10, after he answered the door at a friend’s home on Middle Neck Road. Police say a number of witnesses came forward, identifying three suspects. According to one witness, the three could be overheard before the shooting, with one asking “what one is going to do this.” Witnesses initially identified only the shooter, who was detained within hours of the shooting. The other two were arrested later in the day. Both have been charged with first degree murder, as well as a number of conspiracy charges. 
A 31-year-old man, who Baltimore police say is legally blind, is being sought in connection with the death of his five-month-old son. Officers responded to a call in the city’s Coppin Heights neighborhood on Friday, June 9, and found the infant unconscious. They say the boy had bruises over most of his body. The child was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 
