The House of Delegates on Monday passed a bill for fines up to $500 for smoking marijuana in public.
Sponsored by Delegate Brett Wilson, Washington Republican, the bill would roll back last year’s decriminalization of marijuana and make it a misdemeanor to consume marijuana in a public place.
House Democrats were split over the bill, with some arguing it would erode trust between police and troubled youth and others saying unwanted exposure to marijuana smoke is a public health issue.
Delegate Marc Korman, Montgomery Democrat, said that smoking marijuana in public already is illegal under the decriminalization law, and the bill is harsh punishment.