Maryland Prepares for Cannabis Legalization in July 2023

In July 2023, recreational marijuana will become legal in Maryland. This comes after a ballot measure in the fall of 2022 that approved adult-use legal, as well as the adoption of the Cannabis Control Act and the Cannabis Conviction Clean Slate Act. These laws set out a plan for legal adult-use cannabis that puts equity at the center. This is in response to a growing wave of states that have legal recreational marijuana use, including New York and New Jersey, which allow adults 21 and over to use marijuana.

The Cannabis Control Act and the Cannabis Conviction Clean Slate Act not only legal the adult use of cannabis, but also sets out guidelines for possession limits. Under the plan, those age 21 or older may possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, and 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products in solid form.

The Cannabis Control Commission was established to oversee the state’s marijuana program. This commission has nine members, including representatives from medicine, law enforcement, and the cannabis industry. The idea to have this commission was taken from Maryland’s system, and it is hoped that it will help to ensure a smooth transition to the new laws.

The new year is also changing some of Maryland’s marijuana laws. In addition to the law that will legal recreational marijuana use, new laws have been passed that aim to expand access, reduce penalties for cannabis possession, and create an expungement process for people with marijuana-related criminal records.

As Maryland prepares for the legal of recreational marijuana in July 2023, the state is also taking steps to ensure that the transition is made as smoothly as possible. With new legislation in place and a commission established to oversee the state’s marijuana program, it is hoped that the new laws will put equity at the center and ensure a successful transition.