Marijuana legalization advocates launch campaign to approve Maryland ballot question

Advocates supporting a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational use of marijuana launched a campaign Thursday to spread the word to Maryland voters that the decision is up to them on November’s ballot. The “Yes on 4″ campaign says approving recreational marijuana could improve economic opportunity, racial equity and public safety in a Thursday news release. The referendum marks the state’s first marijuana-related constitutional amendment, after state lawmakers expanded Maryland’s medical marijuana program in 2014. Alex Hughes, the campaign’s co-manager, said the group plans a “full scale campaign” to spread the word to voters, including social media campaigns and advertisements.