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House rejects amendment to restore cannabis 'kingpin' mandatory-minimum status during wider criminal law debate
Summary
A floor amendment to reclassify large-scale cannabis distribution as a 'kingpin' offense with mandatory minimums failed after extended debate on an omnibus criminal-law bill that raises several firearm offenses to felonies and revises drug sentencing provisions.
The Maryland House debated an omnibus criminal law bill that updates multiple firearm and drug provisions, and during that debate the chamber rejected an amendment that would have restored cannabis trafficking at the 50‑pound threshold to the state’s drug‑kingpin framework.
Sponsor and supporters of the amendment argued that a revival of kingpin-level penalties for large-quantity cannabis distribution was necessary to deter violence and cash-based illegal markets. The maker cited local prosecutorial concerns and claimed law-enforcement evidence that dealers often carry 5–10 pounds and that large transactions drive violence.
The floor…
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