The purchase and recreational use of marijuana is now legal in Maryland.
Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about the new law, including the dispensaries that sell it, the impacts on law enforcement, public safety, and more.
When did Maryland approve recreational marijuana?
In the November 2022 election, Maryland residents voted to approve the legalization of recreational marijuana through a constitutional amendment. It entered into force on July 1, 2023.
Who can use or possess marijuana?
Adults 21 and older can use and possess cannabis for non-medical reasons, according to the new law.
How much marijuana can adults possess?
“Adults 21 years of age or older may possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, up to 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a quantity of cannabis products not to exceed 750 mg THC in total. This is known as the ‘personal use amount,’” according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration.
Where is the use of cannabis allowed, and where is it prohibited?
You can smoke or use marijuana at home or in a private place, but it is illegal to use it in public spaces, including parks, streets, sidewalks, bars, restaurants, public transportation, and workplaces.
The Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County sent a reminder to the community that its parks have been and will continue to be smoke free.
It is also illegal to use cannabis inside a vehicle for the drivers and passengers. Impaired driving is still illegal in Maryland. Officers can make arrests for drunk driving involving cannabis if they observe impairment using a standard field sobriety test, according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration.
Because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, it is also not allowed to be carried on federal property, such as national parks.
Can I travel outside of Maryland with marijuana?
No. Under federal law, it is illegal to load or transport cannabis into other states, including medical marijuana. So if you live in DC or Virginia and buy marijuana legally in Maryland, you can’t take it home. Mailing marijuana within the state or to other states is also illegal.
Can I grow cannabis at home?
Yes. Adults are allowed to grow up to two plants of marijuana, but they must be out of public view and guarded so that others, including people under 21, do not have access to them. No more than two plants can be grown even if several people live in the residence.
The bushes can only be cultivated with the permission of the owner.
Can I give away cannabis or share it with friends?
Yes. It is legal for adults at least 21 years of age to share with other adults, as long as it is between the legal amount for personal use, and there is no exchange of money.
Giving someone more than the legal amount or accepting payment could qualify as possession with intent to distribute, according to the People’s Law Library. That criminal charge faces penalties of three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
RETAILERS AND DISPENSARIES IN MARYLAND
Can I buy marijuana and cannabis products?
Yes. Unlike DC and Virginia, Maryland has established a legal marketplace for retail sales. The Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 556 and Senate Bill 516, both of which developed infrastructure for adult sales to begin on July 1.
Those 21 and older can purchase cannabis products from licensed dispensaries as long as they present government-provided identification to prove their age.
Where are the dispensaries for recreational marijuana?
Here is a complete list of dispensaries in Maryland They are licensed to sell to adults.
RISE, which has four locations in Bethesda, Hagerstown, Joppa and Silver Spring, is among the dispensaries bracing for a business boom.
“This is a truly historic moment for us, and we are very honored to be a part of it,” said Marko Steinhagen, RISE manager.
What is the tax on cannabis products?
Sales of marijuana and concentrated products are subject to a 9% state tax, the same as alcohol. State regulators have estimated that recreational marijuana could generate up to $600 million in sales in the first year.
Is it legal to sell marijuana in Maryland?
No. Selling cannabis without the proper license is illegal. It is classified as a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000, according to the People’s Public Library.
THE EFFORTS OF THE AUTHORITIES
whatWho oversees and enforces Maryland’s new recreational marijuana law?
The Maryland Cannabis Administration regulates cannabis businesses, while state and local law enforcement will enforce laws regarding its use and possession.
Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones told News4 that he had been preparing for the day.
How will the police prevent people from driving under the influence of marijuana?
Montgomery County police began preparing and training officers last year on changes to the law and how to spot a driver who is under the influence of marijuana behind the wheel, which Jones said is what worries him the most.
“That is very important to keep our roads safe. That is one of our top priorities,” she said.
What are the consequences if minors use or possess marijuana?
“People under the age of 21 can’t buy it, possess it or eat it. That’s the important rule we need to make sure people know about,” Jones said.
Possession of 2.5 ounces or less, the “civilian use” amount, could result in a fine, a court order to attend a drug education program, and a referral for evaluation or treatment of a use disorder of substances. Possession of more than 2.5 ounces could result in criminal charges.
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY
What are the risks of using marijuana?
Dr. Daniel Gingold, an assistant professor and emergency physician at the University of Maryland Medical Center, said the risk of health complications from smoking or using marijuana is generally low.
“Marijuana overdoses are quite rare and usually just provide an unpleasant user experience, but they are generally not dangerous,” Gringold told News4. “Sometimes it causes, you know, anxiety or paranoia and every once in a while people can have hallucinations, but usually they’re brief and go away on their own.”
What are the dangers of children using cannabis and what precautions should parents take?
It has seen an increase in the number of children, especially very young ones, who have used edible marijuana accidents in the last five years as it has become legal in more states, according to to a study published this year.
Nearly 25% of the more than 7,000 children under age 6 who ate edibles ended up hospitalized, and some became seriously ill, according to an analysis in the journal Pediatrics.
“THC gummies of any amount definitely pose a risk to children. There are several reasons for that. One is that the packages don’t include any sort of mechanism so children can’t open them,” Dr. Jill McCabe, a pediatric emergency physician at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Virginia, previously told NEws4. “They also look like candy so they’re something that, when kids find them, most kids are going to put in their mouths and eat.”
A Maryland mother shared a cautionary story with News4 in 2021 after her young son ate some of the marijuana edibles he had been prescribed for sleep.
“He was unusually lethargic,” Elizabeth Perry said. “I was putting him to sleep and I put him to bed, and he started shaking and crying and he looked at me with terror in his eyes.”
Gingold said parents should lock up any marijuana candy or THC-containing products in a high place that is hard for children to reach.
What should I do if my child accidentally eats THC gummies?
A call to the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 might be enough if the child shows minor symptoms, doctors said. But any serious symptoms, such as vomiting or lethargic behavior, require a visit to the emergency room.
Poison Control reported that other common side effects that children may experience include: rapid heart rate, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, abnormally slow heart rate, and low blood pressure.
whatWhich Should other populations be cautious when it comes to cannabis use?
Due to an abundance of caution and limited research, doctors recommend that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding not use marijuana, Gingold said. Some research suggests that marijuana could have a negative impact on the developing brain, and there is evidence that THC passes into breast milk. You can find more information about this at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gingold added that people with lung disease and respiratory problems like asthma should probably refrain from smoking or vaping and use edibles or other products instead.
Older adults are also more at risk if they use too much cannabis because they are more prone to falls and confusion, Gingold continued.
AP contributed to this report.
