PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                                  S.B. 71

May 22, 1997

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed Senate Bill 71.

This bill makes it a separate offense for a person to bring into the State more than five
kilograms (11 pounds) of marijuana, but less than 45 kilograms (99 pounds). Upon
conviction, violators are guilty of a felony and subject to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or
imprisonment for up to ten years. The bill also alters current law by changing the amount
of marijuana from 100 pounds to 45 kilograms (99 pounds) necessary to charge a person
with felony possession, Upon conviction, these violators are subject to the applicable
felony penalties (fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 25 years).

House Bill 240, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 8,
1997, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 71.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

Senate Bill No. 71

AN ACT concerning

Controlled Dangerous Substances - Marijuana - Penalties

FOR the purpose of altering a prohibition against bringing a certain quantity of
marijuana into the State; making a separate offense of bringing into the State a certain
amount of marijuana under certain circumstances; providing certain penalties;
providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the penalties for
offenses involving the possession of marijuana.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 286A

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1996 Replacement Volume)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

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