Marijuana

Marijuana is the most readily available, commonly abused illicit drug in Maryland. Most of the marijuana available in the state is produced in Mexico; however, marijuana produced in Maryland is available, to a lesser extent. Local independent dealers, primarily Caucasians, cultivate cannabis indoors and outdoors. Violence typically is not associated with marijuana abuse in Maryland, but violence associated with marijuana distribution and cannabis cultivation is a serious concern. Jamaican criminal groups are the dominant transporters of marijuana into Maryland; Mexican criminal groups transport lesser amounts into the state. Jamaican criminal groups are the dominant wholesale distributors of marijuana produced in Mexico. Local independent dealers, primarily Caucasians, are the dominant retail distributors of marijuana produced in the state as well as in Mexico. OMGs also distribute marijuana at the retail level, but to a lesser extent.

Abuse

Marijuana is the most widely abused illegal drug in Maryland, and the rate of marijuana abuse in the state is comparable to the national average. According to the 1999 NHSDA, 4.9 percent of individuals surveyed in Maryland report having abused marijuana in the previous month compared with 4.7 percent nationwide. Most of the individuals reporting past month marijuana abuse were between the ages of 18 and 25.

In Maryland marijuana-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities increased from 4,644 in 1994 to 7,196 in 1996 then steadily decreased to 6,862 in 1999, according to TEDS. (See Table 1 in Overview section.) The Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration reported that approximately 64 percent of marijuana abusers admitted for treatment in FY1997 first abused the drug between the ages of 12 and 17. The Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration reported that in FY1998, drug abuse screenings detected marijuana abuse in 86.4 percent of admissions for individuals aged 17 and younger at Maryland substance abuse treatment programs, and many used marijuana in conjunction with other drugs.

According to DAWN, marijuana-related ED mentions in Baltimore steadily increased from 770 in 1994 to 1,679 in 1999 but then decreased slightly to 1,620 in 2000. According to mortality data from DAWN, from 1996 through 2000 marijuana was not factor in any drug-related deaths in Baltimore.

Teenagers in Maryland abuse marijuana more frequently than any other illicit drug. A November 2000 report by the Drug Early Warning System indicates that marijuana was the primary drug detected among juveniles arrested in Maryland. According to the 2001 Maryland Adolescent Survey, 37.9 percent of twelfth grade students reported having abused marijuana in the past year, more than triple the percentage who reported having used MDMA (ecstasy), the next highest abused at 10.9 percent. The survey further indicates that the percentage of sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students who reported marijuana abuse in the past 30 days was lower in 2001 than in 1998.

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Availability

Marijuana is widely available throughout the state. Most of the marijuana available in Maryland is produced in Mexico. Marijuana produced in Maryland is available, to a lesser extent. Prices for the drug vary because marijuana with higher levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) typically commands a higher price. In Maryland Mexico-produced commercial-grade marijuana, which is made from the whole cannabis plant and has an average THC content of 5.5 percent, sold for $160 to $200 per ounce and $1,000 to $1,200 per pound in 2000, according to the Maryland State Police. Sinsemilla, which typically is processed using only the leaves and buds of the unpollinated female plant, sold for $200 to $600 per ounce and $1,500 to $3,000 per pound. Marijuana that is cultivated in hydroponic operations sold for $4,500 to $6,000 per pound.

Investigations by state and local law enforcement agencies and seizures by state and federal law enforcement agencies reflect the wide availability of marijuana in the state. In Maryland 14 of 20 law enforcement respondents to the NDIC National Drug Threat Survey 2001 reported having conducted 470 marijuana-related investigations in 1999. The Maryland State Police reported an increase in statewide cannabis seizures from 3,474 plants in 1998 to 3,610 in 1999 to 6,954 in 2000. During the summer of 2000, record numbers of plants were seized in many Maryland counties. According to FDSS data, federal law enforcement agencies in Maryland seized 224.5 kilograms of marijuana in 1998, 323.3 kilograms in 1999, and 394.4 kilograms in 2000.

The percentage of federal drug sentences that were marijuana-related in Maryland was significantly lower than the national percentage in FY2000. According to the USSC, 7.5 percent of drug-related federal sentences in Maryland in FY2000 were marijuana-related compared with 31.2 percent nationwide.

Violence

Violent crime generally is not associated with marijuana abuse in Maryland. Most individuals who abuse the drug experience physical relaxation and sedation and are not prone to violence. However, a significant amount of violent crime associated with marijuana distribution has occurred in Baltimore. Police in the city of Baltimore report that violence related to marijuana distribution is increasing. Baltimore County police officials report that in December 2001 a dispute over marijuana led to the fatal shooting of a teenager at Owings Mills Mall. Two other teenagers were charged in the case. Violence associated with cannabis cultivation in Maryland is limited; however, growers may arm themselves or set traps in order to prevent the discovery of their plants.

Production

Most of the marijuana available in Maryland is produced in Mexico. However, marijuana produced in Maryland is available, to a lesser extent. Cannabis is cultivated both indoors and outdoors within the state. Local independent dealers, primarily Caucasians, cultivate cannabis and dominate retail distribution of all types of marijuana in Maryland. Indoor cultivation is increasing because the quality of the marijuana obtained from indoor grows tends to be higher and the drug commands a higher price. Outdoor cultivation is common during the summer months, especially on the Eastern Shore. In Caroline County on the Eastern Shore, the Sheriff's Office reported in 2000 that most of the marijuana sold in its jurisdiction was locally grown, primarily outdoors.

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Transportation

While some of the marijuana consumed in Maryland is produced within the state, most is produced in Mexico and transshipped through California and southwestern states. Jamaican criminal groups are the dominant transporters of marijuana into Maryland; Mexican criminal groups transport lesser amounts into the state. Jamaican criminal groups usually purchase marijuana from Mexican criminal groups in the southwestern United States and transport it primarily via package delivery services into Maryland, although transportation by automobile, bus, and airline does occur. According to the Prince George's County Police Department, California is the primary source of marijuana available in its jurisdiction, and package delivery service is the primary method used to transport marijuana into the county. According to DEA, criminal elements among Mexican migrant farmers working on Maryland's Eastern Shore transport marijuana into that area, usually by automobile.

Marijuana usually is transported into Maryland in 5- to 15-pound packages. On February 22, 2000, Operation Jetway Task Force officers at Baltimore/Washington International Airport seized a package containing 10.6 pounds of marijuana sent from El Cajon, California. The marijuana was shrink-wrapped, concealed with dryer sheets, and placed in a plastic storage container.

Distribution

Jamaican criminal groups are the dominant wholesale distributors of marijuana in Maryland. Local independent dealers, primarily Caucasians, and, to a lesser extent, OMGs are the dominant retail distributors of all types of marijuana throughout Maryland. Jamaican criminal groups also distribute marijuana at the retail level, but to a lesser extent. The Montgomery County Police Department indicated in 2000 that Jamaican criminal groups are the principal distributors of marijuana to high school students in that county. The Pagan's Motorcycle Club, with chapters in Anne Arundel County and the cities of Baltimore, Ocean City, and Frederick, is the predominant OMG in the state and frequently distributes marijuana. Street gangs also distribute marijuana in addition to other drugs. In Maryland marijuana often is sold in "blunts," hollowed-out cigars that are filled with marijuana or a combination of marijuana and tobacco. In Baltimore law enforcement authorities occasionally seize marijuana sprinkled with PCP (phencyclidine).

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