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Maryland

Regulatory Framework

The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) is the agency responsible for regulating the adult-use cannabis industry in Maryland [1]. MCA acts as an independent agency within the executive branch, its regulatory activities are supported by the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) [2].

Legal Status

Market Status Statute
Adult-Use Legal Cannabis Reform Act of 2023 (H.B. 556/S.B. 516) [3]
Medical Legal Maryland Compassionate Care and Research Act of 2013 [4]
Homegrow Legal Cannabis Reform Act of 2023 (H.B. 556/S.B. 516) [3]

Track-and-Trace

Cannabis seed-to-sale software company Metrc tracks both the medical and adult-use cannabis markets in Maryland [5]. MCA also maintains a reporting requirement webpage plus a data dashboard with medical and adult-use sales information [6] [7].

Licensing

MCA issues various licenses for the adult-use cannabis industry. Key categories include:

  • Ancillary Business (Security Guard, Transportation, and Waste Disposal Companies)
  • Dispensaries
  • Independent Test Laboratories
  • Growers
  • Processors [8]

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has limited involvement in regulating cannabis. Its primary role is in the Maryland Hemp Program [9].

Possession Limits

Item Possession Limit
Cannabis flower 1.5 ounces
Concentrates 12 grams, or a total amount of cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg THC [10].

Medical Cannabis

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) was established by the Maryland Compassionate Care and Research Act of 2013 [3]. This act legalized medical marijuana use and along with subsequent legislation passed in 2014 created the regulatory framework for the program. Following cannabis legalization, the authority for the medical program was transferred to the MCA.

To qualify as a registered patient, individuals must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Maryland with written certification for a qualifying condition by a certifying provider and a valid state-issued identification card. Patients under 18 are required to have a caregiver who is their parent or legal guardian [11].

Qualifying conditions for medical cannabis include:

  • Cachexia, Anorexia, or Wasting Syndrome
  • Chronic or severe pain
  • Glaucoma
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Seizures
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms
  • Severe nausea

Another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective [12].

Additional Resources

References