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Baltimore Mayoral Candidate Wants To Tax Bullets & Ticket For Marijuana

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A controversial crime fighting plan comes from one of Baltimore's mayoral candidates Tuesday. 

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on a plan to raise the price of ammunition and reduce penalties for marijuana. 

Taxing bullets and ticketing for marijuana.  Baltimore mayoral candidate Otis Rolley says taxing a buck on a bullet may reduce more violent crimes and making small amounts of marijuana a minor offense---as other cities have done---can free up crime fighting resources.

"A lot of time, energy and effort is wasted by our courts and police officers spending time on petty crimes," Rolley said.

He is targeting vacant houses, which residents say are a criminal haven.  Rolley's crime prevention plan also includes more recreation and jobs for young people.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was at an event for YouthWorks when we spoke to her about her thoughts.

"As a mother of a 7-year-old, I'm not trying to send the message to my daughter or her classmates that marijuana is OK," she said.

Rawlings-Blake says she will continue to focus on stricter gun laws and targeting the most violent criminals.  State Senator Catherine Pugh says her policies are to get smarter, not tougher, on crime and Jody Landers calls for reform on drug laws.  All claim to have comprehensive plans that will target the most violent criminals.

Rolley's plan to tax bullets purchased in the city would require legislative approval.

City property taxes are another priority in this race.  The Baltimore City primary is Sept. 13.

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