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Cannabis in Maryland is legal for medical use and recreational use. Possession of up to 1.5 ounces and cultivation of up to 2 plants is legal for adults 21 years of age and older. [1] In 2013, a state law was enacted to establish a state-regulated medical cannabis program. [2] The program, known as the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) became operational on December 1, 2017. [3]
A majority of voters approved the 2022 Maryland Question 4 referendum to legalize recreational use of cannabis on November 8, 2022, with 67.2% of voters in favor and 32.8% against. It took effect on July 1, 2023. Under Question 4, adults 21 years of age and older are permitted to grow up to two cannabis plants out of public view, and possess no more than 1.5oz of recreational cannabis on their person. Possession of between 1.5-2.5 oz is punishable by a civil fine of up to $250, and over 2.5 oz is punishable by up to a $1000 fine and up to 6 months in jail. Additionally, a companion bill that was designed to be triggered upon passage of the referendum included a provision to automatically expunge all cases in which possession of cannabis was the only charge, as well as allow for individuals incarcerated for cannabis possession to petition for resentencing. [4] [5] [6] [7]
In 2010, Maryland had the fifth-highest overall arrest rate for marijuana possession in the United States, with 409 arrests per 100,000 residents. (The national rate was 256 per 100,000 people). [8] In that year, marijuana arrests made up 49.9% of all drug possession arrests in the state. [9] In Maryland, Black people were 2.9 times more likely than Whites to be arrested for marijuana possession. [10]
In April 2014, Governor Martin O'Malley signed a law that decriminalized the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana. Previously possessing less was a misdemeanor with a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. [11] The measure made such possession a civil infraction, similar to a traffic ticket. The measure took effect on October 1, 2014. [12] [13] Under the law, people over age 21 "who are accused of having less than 10 grams will have to pay a fine and attend a drug education program". [13] [14] The fine not exceeding $100 for first-time offenders, $250 for second-time offenders, and $500 for third or subsequent offenders. [15]
In 2016, the Maryland General Assembly, controlled by Democrats, passed SB 517, which decriminalized the possession of marijuana paraphernalia (such as rolling papers, pipes and bongs) and decriminalized the smoking of marijuana in public. The measure makes both civil offenses punishable by a fine of up to $500. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the Assembly overrode the veto. [16] [17] [18]
In Pacheco v. State (2019), the Maryland Court of Appeals determined that "the mere odor of marijuana coupled with possession of what is clearly less than ten grams of marijuana, absent other circumstances," is not sufficient probable cause for police to arrest and search a person within the state. [19] [20]
From January 1, 2023, until June 30, 2023, decriminalization is temporarily expanded from possession of less than 1 oz (28 grams) to less than 1.5 oz (42 grams) to a civil infraction subject to $100 fine as provided by House Bill 837, prior to full legalized recreational use of 1.5 oz or less on July 1, 2023, due to the passage of the 2022 Maryland Question 4 referendum. [1] [6] [5]
In the 2010s, there were several efforts to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, but none were successful. However, support for legalization did increase in the state; Washington Post-University of Maryland polls found that 54% of Marylanders supported legalization in 2014, and 61% supported legalization in 2016. [21]
In 2017, legalization was introduced in the state legislature (sponsored by Democratic Delegate Curt Anderson, Democratic Senator Richard Madaleno, and others) to legalize, tax, and regulate recreational marijuana in the state. The bills would have allowed persons 21 or older to lawfully possess up to one ounce (28 g) of marijuana and grow up to six marijuana plants and would impose a $30-per-ounce ($1.06/g) excise tax for cultivators and a 9 percent sales tax for buyers (the same sales tax as for alcohol sales in Maryland). The legislation also contained a provision that would expunge prior convictions for possession of marijuana in those amounts or less. [22] The legislation did not pass. [21]
In 2019, a task force of the General Assembly, the Marijuana Legalization Workgroup, began to consider ways to possibly legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana in Maryland. [23]
In 2021, Delegate Jazz Lewis, a Democrat from Prince George's County, introduced H.B. 32, which would legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana and expunge prior cannabis related convictions. [24] [25] Another marijuana legalization bill that has been brought up in 2021, is SB 708, which has been introduced by State Senator Brian Feldman, a Democrat from Montgomery County. Feldman and Lewis are working to "harmonize" the two bills. [26]
On July 16, 2021, Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones announced that a referendum should decide whether to legalize recreational use of cannabis and that The House will pass legislation early next year to put this question before the voters. She also formed a bipartisan work group to work out the myriad details that such legalization would entail, from changes to criminal laws to the taxing structure. [27]
In February 2022, Maryland lawmakers filed a Cannabis Legalization Bill in anticipation of ballot referendum passing, where it would legalize recreational use of cannabis possession and use on or after July 1, 2023, if voters approve a ballot question in the November 2022 election to allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 1+1⁄2 ounces (43 g) of marijuana, decriminalize possession of amounts greater than that up to 2+1⁄2 ounces (71 g), and allows the General Assembly to set a tax rate on the sale of marijuana. [28] This bill would also establish a Cannabis Business Assistance Fund to support equity initiatives for minority- and women-owned businesses. That fund would go toward incubator and educational programs to promote participation in the industry by people most impacted by criminalization. The bill would also automatically expunge prior criminal convictions for conduct made legal under the proposed law. [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35]
In April 2022, the Governor of Maryland allowed a bill to become law - with no action of a signature or veto to legalize cannabis recreationally within Maryland. Medicinal cannabis was already legal in Maryland. However, another bill that passed the Maryland General Assembly in April 2022, puts the very same cannabis policy straight onto the ballot box for Maryland voters to implement in the November 2022 election as an initiative (2022 Maryland Question 4) without a governor's signature (a bypass mechanism). [36]
Voters approved the 2022 Maryland Question 4 referendum on November 8, 2022, with 67.2% of voters in favor. It took effect on July 1, 2023. [4] [5] [6] Under the new law, it is legal to possess up to 1.5 oz of cannabis for recreational use, as well as to grow and maintain no more than two cannabis plants out of public view; however, possession of between 1.5-2.5 oz is punishable by a civil fine of up to $250, and more than 2.5 oz is punishable by up to 6 months in jail, and a criminal fine not to exceed $1,000. Additionally, upon passage of the November 2022 Question 4 referendum, a companion bill was triggered which will automatically expunge all convictions in which cannabis possession was the only charge, and allow those currently incarcerated for cannabis possession to petition for resentencing. The law does not set up a framework for retail sales. [7]
On 3 February 2023, The Maryland General Assembly filed a bill in anticipation of the state’s recreational cannabis bill, where if it passed, there aims be recreational cannabis dispensaries open for business on July 1, 2023. This also entails some existing licensed medical cannabis companies would be able to pay a “hefty fee” to convert to a license that would allow them to sell cannabis to recreational customers. But it’s not yet known how much or how soon companies would be able to convert.There also will be dozens of new licenses created. [37] [38] Both chambers reached a compromise bill with 9% tax and other provisions, and slated a vote for April 10, the last day of the legislative session. [39] On April 8, 2023, The Maryland General Assembly established rules for recreational sale of cannabis, where under the new rules, people who are age 21 and older will be able to buy recreational cannabis in Maryland on July 1. [40] [41] The legislation also addresses commerce-related issues such as the number and types of cannabis business licenses that will be available. It sets the amount of sales tax those businesses must charge as well. [40] [41] The Governor of Maryland officially signed into law several bills to implement cannabis legalization and sales. [42]
As of September 2023 the MCA has issued cannabis Dispensary licenses to 101 entities. [43] In July 2023, Maryland's first month of regulated adult-use cannabis sales, retailers reported nearly $85 million in sales. [44]
On May 22, 2003, Governor Bob Ehrlich signed a bill into a law that took effect on October 1, 2003, that instituted a maximum fine of $100 for people using marijuana for pain relief. However the legislation did not protect users of medical marijuana from arrest and it did not establish a registry program. [45]
In May 2013, Governor O'Malley signed legislation that established a medical marijuana program in Maryland. The legislation restricts cannabis distribution to academic medical centers, which will monitor patients. [46] In April 2014, Governor O'Malley signed another legislation called House Bill 881, which took effect on June 1, 2014, and allowed for the creation of a medical marijuana infrastructure. [47] By September 2016, Maryland state officials were considering more than 800 applications for prospective dispensaries; under the law, there is a cap of 94 dispensary licenses, two per state Senate district. [48]
In 2016, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission awarded 15 preliminary licenses to grow medical marijuana (out of a pool of almost 150 applicants) and a further 15 licenses to process medical marijuana "into pills, oils and other medical products." [48] The commission received almost 150 grower applications and 124 processor applications. [48] Seven companies received licenses to both grow and process. [48] The selection process was controversial because—although the selection process was blinded and applications were ranked by outside evaluators—many successful applicants had political connections. [48] One unsuccessful grower applicant who ranked higher than some successful applicants sued the state, alleging that the commission's reshuffling was arbitrary. [49]
Under Maryland's approach, physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, podiatrists and nurse midwives may certify patients as eligible for medical marijuana. [50] As of November 2016, just 172 of the state's practicing physicians (about 1% of the state's total number) registered to participate in Maryland's medical marijuana program. In addition, several large health systems in the state, citing the federal law against marijuana, said they would bar their doctors from recommending medical marijuana, including LifeBridge Health and MedStar Health. [51]
On December 1, 2017, after five years of delay, Maryland's medical marijuana program became operational and sales began. [52] At that time, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission had authorized 14 growers, 12 processors and nine dispensaries in the state; 550 health-care providers were registered to certify patients as eligible; and 8,500 patients were certified by the commission to buy medical marijuana. [53] Over the next two years, Maryland's medical marijuana sector expanded significantly; by September 2019, Maryland had 18 licensed growers, 82 licensed dispensaries, and 70,000 registered patients (slightly more than 1% of the state's total population). [54]
By state statute, defendants who can prove medical necessity at trial face a maximum penalty of $100. Defendants in possession of one ounce (28 g) or less of marijuana are permitted to raise an affirmative defense to the possession charge if they can prove they suffer from a specific debilitating medical condition. [55]
In Pacheco v. State (2019), the Maryland Court of Appeals determined that "the mere odor of marijuana coupled with possession of what is clearly less than ten grams of marijuana, absent other circumstances," is not sufficient probable cause for police to arrest and search a person within the state. [19] [20]
In May 2023, the Governor of Maryland signed a bill into law that passed the Legislature (effective July 1) - to legally protect parents from child neglect penalties who lawfully use cannabis. [56]
Effective from July 1, under recently enacted legislation (the governor allowed to become law without a signature and passed by the Legislature) - cannabis odors are not whatsoever "probable cause or justifiable" to be pulled over and searched by police or law enforcement. Evidence of pot and money within vehicles can not be used against individuals as well under law. [57]
From November 13, 2023, Maryland cannabis business licence applications will be accepted by the MCA - social equity ownership of at least 65% is required. [58] Importantly, interested parties must complete the Business Interest Form before it closes on November 6. [59]
In the United States, cannabis is legal in 38 of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use. At the federal level, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, prohibiting its use for any purpose. Despite this prohibition, federal law is generally not enforced against the possession, cultivation, or intrastate distribution of cannabis in states where such activity has been legalized. On May 1, 2024, the Associated Press reported on plans by the Drug Enforcement Administration to move marijuana to the less-restrictive Schedule III.
The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century, with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973, individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
In the U.S. state of Maine, marijuana (cannabis) is legal for recreational use. It was originally prohibited in 1913. Possession of small amounts of the drug was decriminalized in 1976 under state legislation passed the previous year. The state's first medical cannabis law was passed in 1999, allowing patients to grow their own plants. The cities of Portland and South Portland decriminalized the possession and recreational use of marijuana in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Cannabis in Wisconsin is illegal for recreational use. Possession of any amount is punishable by up to 6 months in prison and a $1000 fine for a first offense. A second offense is punished as a felony with up to 3.5 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. At the local level, however, numerous municipalities and counties have decriminalized cannabis or lessened penalties for minor possession offenses. Medical use is legal only in the form of low-THC cannabis oil.
Cannabis in Virginia is legal for medical use and recreational use. The first medical marijuana dispensary opened in August 2020, and adult recreational use became legalized in July 2021.
Cannabis in the United States Virgin Islands is legal for recreational use since January 18, 2023, under territorial law. Legislation to legalize was passed by the territorial legislature in 2022, and was signed into law on January 18. Medical use was legalized in 2019 through a bill that passed the Senate 9–4. It remains illegal under federal law.
Cannabis in Rhode Island is legal for medical and adult use. Medical use was legalized through legislation approved in 2006, and adult use in 2022.
Cannabis in Pennsylvania is illegal for recreational use, but possession of small amounts is decriminalized in several of the state's largest cities. Medical use was legalized in 2016 through a bill passed by the state legislature.
Cannabis in Missouri is legal for recreational use. A ballot initiative to legalize recreational use, Amendment 3, passed by a 53–47 margin on November 8, 2022. Possession for adults 21 and over became legal on December 8, 2022, with the first licensed sales occurring on February 3, 2023.
Cannabis in New York has been legal for medical purposes under New York law since 2016, and recreational purposes since 2021. As of 2022, recreational cannabis is for sale legally in the state, only through state-approved dispensaries.
Cannabis is legal in Illinois for both medical and recreational use. Illinois became the eleventh state in the US to legalize recreational marijuana effective January 1, 2020.
Cannabis in New Mexico is legal for recreational use as of June 29, 2021. A bill to legalize recreational use – House Bill 2, the Cannabis Regulation Act – was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 12, 2021. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on April 1, 2022.
Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical use and recreational use. An amendment to the state constitution legalizing cannabis became effective on January 1, 2021, and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy on February 22, 2021.
Cannabis in Delaware is legal for medicinal and recreational use.
Cannabis in Florida is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to 20 grams is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1000, and the suspension of one's driver's license. Several cities and counties have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties, however.
Cannabis in Ohio is legal for recreational use. Issue 2, a ballot measure to legalize recreational use, passed by a 57–43 margin on November 7, 2023. Possession and personal cultivation of cannabis became legal on December 7, 2023, with the first licensed sales yet to occur under the law. Prior to legalization, Ohio decriminalized possession of up 100 grams in 1975, with several of the state's major cities later enacting further reforms.
Cannabis in Michigan is legal for recreational use. A 2018 initiative to legalize recreational use passed with 56% of the vote. State-licensed sales of recreational cannabis began in December 2019.
Question 4 was a voter referendum to amend the Constitution of Maryland in order to legalize cannabis for adult use in Maryland. The referendum was approved overwhelmingly, with more than twice as many voters voting in favor of it than against it, on November 8, 2022, and went into effect on July 1, 2023.
Maryland data published in October showed that 73% of voters were in favor of legalization—and the results show that this was true for voters.