Maryland § 5-619

Full text of Maryland Maryland Code § 5-619, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5-619.

    (a)    To determine whether an object is drug paraphernalia, a court shall consider, among other logically relevant factors:

        (1)    any statement by an owner or a person in control of the object concerning its use;

        (2)    any prior conviction of an owner or a person in control of the object under a State or federal law relating to a controlled dangerous substance;

        (3)    the proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct violation of this section or to a controlled dangerous substance;

        (4)    a residue of a controlled dangerous substance on the object;

        (5)    direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner or a person in control of the object to deliver it to another who, the owner or the person knows or should reasonably know, intends to use the object to facilitate a violation of this section;

        (6)    any instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use;

        (7)    any descriptive materials accompanying the object that explain or depict its use;

        (8)    national and local advertising concerning use of the object;

        (9)    the manner in which the object is displayed for sale;

        (10)    whether the owner or a person in control of the object is a licensed distributor or dealer of tobacco products or other legitimate supplier of related items to the community;

        (11)    direct or circumstantial evidence of the ratio of sales of the object to the total sales of the business enterprise;

        (12)    the existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community; and

        (13)    expert testimony concerning use of the object.

    (b)    The innocence of an owner or a person in control of the object as to a direct violation of this section does not prevent a finding that the object is intended for use or designed for use as drug paraphernalia.

    (c)    (1)    Unless authorized under this title, a person may not use or possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia to:

            (i)    plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a controlled dangerous substance; or

            (ii)    inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance.

        (2)    A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:

            (i)    for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $500; and

            (ii)    for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

        (3)    A person who is convicted of violating this subsection for the first time and who previously has been convicted of violating subsection (d)(4) of this section is subject to the penalty specified under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection.

    (d)    (1)    Unless authorized under this title, a person may not deliver or sell, or manufacture or possess with intent to deliver or sell, drug paraphernalia, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the drug paraphernalia will be used to:

            (i)    plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a controlled dangerous substance; or

            (ii)    inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance.

        (2)    A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:

            (i)    for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $500; and

            (ii)    for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

        (3)    A person who is convicted of violating this subsection for the first time and who previously has been convicted of violating paragraph (4) of this subsection is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both.

        (4)    If a person who is at least 18 years old violates paragraph (1) of this subsection by delivering drug paraphernalia to a minor who is at least 3 years younger than the person, the person is guilty of a separate misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 8 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.

    (e)    (1)    A person may not advertise in a newspaper, magazine, handbill, poster, sign, mailing, or other writing or publication, or by sound truck, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the purpose of the advertisement, wholly or partly, is to promote the sale or delivery of drug paraphernalia.

        (2)    A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:

            (i)    for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $500; and

            (ii)    for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland § 5-619

What does Maryland Code § 5-619 cover?

Section 5-619 is part of the Maryland Code, the codified statutory law of Maryland. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Maryland § 5-619?

A common citation format is "Maryland Code § 5-619" (Maryland). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Maryland law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maryland official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maryland attorney.

How does Maryland § 5-619 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maryland can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.