Maryland’s marijuana law will officially take effect on Saturday. Simple possession and personal cultivation are set to become legal, as existing medical cannabis dispensaries get ready to open their doors for the first adult consumer. The governor has reaffirmed his commitment to creating an industry that prioritizes equity ahead of Saturday’s launch.
State regulators have approved the conversion of nearly 100 dispensaries to dual licensees, which will allow them to serve both patients and adults over 21. The dispensaries will be able to sell to both adult consumers and patients starting July 1 when the legalization of marijuana takes effect as a result of a ballot initiative approved by voters in 2017.
The lawmakers have been working quickly to put in place the infrastructure for the industry, along with the legalizations of home cultivation and simple possession. Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, signed a bill last month that established a framework for cannabis sales in order to achieve this goal.
Moore told a conference of the Cannabis Regulators Association in Maryland, on Monday: “Historically, cannabis policy has been used to oppress, jail and discriminate our fellow citizens, particularly people of color. And, not only did it fail, but it also made us weaker as nation.”
He said: “But we’re writing a brand new chapter for the history of cannabis in America, a chapter that focuses on economic growth and equity.” “It is time to move away from the false choice of choosing between an economic system that is fair and one that is growing. We can do both.”
The Maryland Cannabis Administration announced this month that 38 growers and manufacturers have been approved to supply the adult-use market.
MCA stated that “in order to be able to operate after July 1, 2023 or on the same date, any existing medical cannabis licensees or preapproved entities must pay a conversion fee to convert their license into a standard medical-and adult-use license.” Standard cannabis licenses are valid for five-years and allow a licensee the ability to grow, process or dispense both medical and adult-use cannabis. Licensees who do not convert their licenses may keep them for resale but cannot operate with the licenses after July 1, 2023.
MCA has released a set of industry rules for the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review. This is a crucial step in preparing the industry ahead of the legalization this weekend.
The 41-page regulation outlines definitions, codifies possession limits for individuals, lays down responsibilities for regulators and explains licensing protocols, including for social equity applicants. It also clarifies the enforcement authorities, penalties, and packaging requirements.
The state Department of Commerce began accepting grant applications earlier this month to assist existing medical marijuana businesses in converting into dual licenses that could serve the adult market.
The referendum approved by voters in November legalized possession of up 1.5 ounces cannabis on Saturday, with an additional removal criminal penalties for possession up to 2.5 ounces.
Adults over 21 can also grow two plants to use for themselves and give away cannabis.
The relatively short timeline for commercial sales launch has also put pressure on the state officials to implement the regulations that were drafted in recent weeks.
In a blog last week, NORML Deputy director Paul Armentano stated that Maryland residents, like most Americans, prefer a cannabis legalization policy and are moving away from failed policies of stigmatization and criminalization.
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The ballot measure and the subsequent regulation legislation that was signed by the Governor were partly a result of extensive work done by bipartisan and bicameral legislators who were members of House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup , which was created in 2021 and led by Speaker Adrienne Jones .
The members held many meetings to inform the future regulations after Maryland voters approved a legalization referendum during the election last year, which triggered implementation of complementary legislation that covered rules for basic policies such as possession and low level home cultivation.
A new law also allows for the automatic expungement of convictions for crimes that are now legal. People currently serving prison time for these offenses can be resentenced. People convicted of possession with intent for distribution can now petition the court for expungement after three years.
Some parts of the referendum came into effect at the start of this year. Possession of up 1.5 ounces cannabis is now a civil offence punishable with a $100 fine. For more than 1.5 and up to 2.5, the fine increases to $250.
Maryland lawmakers began to discuss adult-use marijuana legalization in 2021, but there were no votes. In 2021, the Senate Finance Committee heard a bill on legalization. This was followed by a House Judiciary Committee on a cannabis proposal.
Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2012 through a law passed by the Maryland legislature. In 2012, Maryland legalized medical cannabis through an act of the legislature.
Moore has also allowed a recent bill to become law which prevents the police from using only the smell or possession of marijuana as the basis for a search.
Last month, he also signed a bill that would ensure that the use of marijuana in a responsible and lawful manner by parents and guardians is not interpreted by state officials to be “neglect” by children.
The article Maryland Marijuana Legalization takes effect this weekend, with sales set to launch as Governor commits to equity goals first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
