The Maryland Session ended earlier this week, and thanks to YOUR calls and faxes, we passed House Bill 992!  HB 992 allows judges more discretion by making second-time nonviolent drug offenders who are sentenced to mandatory sentences eligible for parole. Under current state law, mandatory minimums cannot be paroled or suspended but now, because of your support, people will be able to get the treatment they need and return home from prison sooner.

Please join me in sending a thank you note to the following legislative allies: our bill sponsors, Sen. Lisa Gladden and Del. Curt Anderson and Speaker Busch, President Miller, and Governor O'Malley. And I want to extend a special thank you to all the Maryland citizens who testified at committee hearings, submitted written letters of support, and joined us in Annapolis to support our work.

Maryland Sentencing Reform is moving forward. The Partnership for Treatment Not Incarceration, coordinated by the Justice Policy Institute and the Drug Policy Alliance, is growing--and we want to hear from you! Members of the Partnership include the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Americans for Safe Access, Sensible Drug Policy Maryland, LEAP-Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Power Inside, Students for Sensible Drug Policy University of Maryland Chapter, Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative, Drug Reform Coordination Network, and the Marijuana Policy Project.

HB 1040, The Maryland Compassionate Use Act, made significant progress in the House, picking up more than enough votes to make it out of committee. But the Chair of Judiciary, Del. Joseph Vallario, would not allow the bill to be voted on. He believes the current law, which makes patients vulnerable to arrest, prosecution, expensive legal fees, and constant fear of the police, is good enough. We will continue to work throughout the summer to identify patients, doctors, and caregivers who will let Chairman Vallario know that arresting patients is unacceptable. Please contact me if you are interested in participating in this campaign.

Thank you for all your support!

Sincerely,

Naomi Long
Drug Policy Alliance
Director, District of Columbia Metropolitan Area