Maryland House Passes Bill Barring Smoking Pot In Vehicles

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland House of Delegates has voted to make it a criminal misdemeanor to smoke marijuana in vehicles.

The House voted 139-0 for the bill Friday. It now goes to the Senate.

The bill initially would have applied to public spaces, but that provision was taken out by the House Judiciary Committee.

Earlier this week, the House rejected an attempt by Republican lawmakers to make it a criminal offense to smoke marijuana on the Ocean City Boardwalk or other public spaces.

In 2014, Maryland made public use and possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana a civil offense. The measure approved Friday clarifies that it is a criminal misdemeanor to smoke marijuana while driving or as a passenger in a vehicle.

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