Maryland

Signed by the Governor: Maryland Law Regulating Adult-Use Marijuana Despite Ongoing Federal Cannabis Prohibition

In November 2022, Maryland voters passed Question 4, legalizing the use of cannabis by an individual who is 21 or older. The amendment also authorizes the Maryland General Assembly to “provide for the use, distribution, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the state.”

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Maryland House Passes Bill to Limit Law Enforcement Use of Facial Recognition

While passage into law would not end government use of facial recognition in Maryland, it would set the foundation by setting some initial limits on the technology and preventing ongoing surveillance using facial recognition.

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AUMFs Have not Been the Same as a Declaration of War

I recently testified before a Maryland House committee in favor of the Maryland Defend Our Guard Act. Specifically, I was asked to explain the difference between an authorization to use military force (AUMF) and a declaration of war. Following is the written testimony I submitted. I am Mike Maharrey and I’m the national communications director […]

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Maryland House Passes Bill Regulating Adult-Use Marijuana Despite Ongoing Federal Cannabis Prohibition

the Maryland House passed a bill to create a regulatory structure for commercial marijuana cultivation and sales despite ongoing federal cannabis prohibition.

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Maryland Bill to Establish State Process to End Qualified Immunity Receives Committee Hearing

In effect, the passage of HB430 would create an alternative path to address violations of rights in state court with no qualified immunity hurdle to clear.

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Maryland House Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Set Foundation to End Unconstitutional National Guard Deployments

Titled the Maryland Defend Our Guard Act, the legislation would prohibit the governor from ordering any unit or member of the Maryland National Guard into “active duty combat” unless Congress has passed an official declaration of war or has taken an official action under article I, § 8, clause 15 of the Constitution to explicitly call forth the state militia or any member of the state militia to execute the laws of the united states, repel an invasion, or suppress an insurrection.

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Maryland House Committee Holds Hearing on “Constitutional Carry” Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Feb. 11, 2023) – On Wednesday, a Maryland House committee held a hearing on a bill that would make it de facto legal to carry a firearm in the state without a license, fostering an environment more hostile to federal gun control. The enactment of a so-called “constitutional carry” bill would also foster […]

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Maryland Bill Would Establish State Process to End Qualified Immunity

The legislation would create a cause of action in state courts to sue a police officer who "subjects or causes to be subjected any individual to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Maryland constitution or the U.S. Constitution.

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Maryland House Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Create State Process to End Qualified Immunity

The legislation would create a cause of action in state court for individuals to sue police officers who, under the color of law, deprive them of an individual right secured by the Maryland Declaration of Rights or the Maryland constitution.

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Maryland Bill Would Limit Law Enforcement Use of Facial Recognition

The proposed law would limit the use of facial recognition to “crimes of violence,” human trafficking, or a criminal act “involving circumstances presenting a substantial and ongoing threat to public safety or national security.” When used in such an investigation, facial recognition could not be used as the sole basis to establish probable cause.

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