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Treatment To Be Included in Marijuana Decriminalization Measure

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Sen. Christopher Shank wants to make sure judges can still order treatment for persistent marijuana users if Maryland decriminalizes the drug.

Shank, R-Washington, introduced an amendment Tuesday to a marijuana decriminalization bill currently under consideration in the Senate. Under Shank's amendment, anyone caught with marijuana three or more times would be required to appear in court, and a judge would be allowed to order treatment. But there still would not be criminal charges for possessing 10 grams or less.

The Senate will likely debate the bill and Shank's amendment later this week.

A Senate committee hasn't moved forward with a bill that would legalize marijuana possession altogether.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.