The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Bill Repeals Prohibitions on Drug Paraphernalia and Controlled Paraphernalia
Last action · January 23, 2026: Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsor: Cory McCray
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Maryland Senate Bill 327 repeals state law prohibitions relating to and , effective October 1, 2026.
Eliminates state criminal penalties and restrictions associated with possessing or distributing items defined as or , shifting the legal framework for individuals and law enforcement.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Maryland residents
Key Facts
- Repeals Section 5-619 and Section 5-620 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
- Strikes the statutory definitions of 'controlled paraphernalia' and 'drug paraphernalia' from Section 5-101.
- Takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Senate Bill 327 do?
When does this law take effect if passed?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 23, 2026SenateHearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 22, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Complete Repeal of Paraphernalia Prohibitions
The bill completely removes Sections 5-619 and 5-620, marking a structural change in how Maryland regulates drug and controlled paraphernalia.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools