Maryland Cannabis News
Maryland Cannabis News
Maryland’s Republican governor announced that he wouldn’t stand in the way of implementing marijuana legalization if voters approved the reform on the November ballot. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) included the cannabis legislation in a list of bills he is not signing or vetoing but is allowing to take effect without his signature. The Senate and House of Delegates approved separate measures to put a referendum before voters on whether the state should legalize marijuana and begin implementing the reform if the ballot question is authorized. Both HB 1, the referendum measure, and HB 837, the implementation bill, was sponsored by Del. Luke Clippinger (D), who chaired the Judiciary Committee and led a legislative cannabis workgroup formed by House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D).
The former bill places legalization on the ballot and is not subject to action by the governor because it is a constitutional amendment. HB 837, meanwhile, sets basic rules for the adult-use program if voters approve the ballot referendum. Those provisions mainly concern issues such as penalties and expungement. That bill that Hogan announced will take effect without his putting pen to paper.
Under the law enacted, if voters approve legalization on the ballot, purchasing and possessing up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis would be legal for adults. The legislation also would remove criminal penalties for possession of up to 2.5 ounces. Adults 21 and older would be allowed to grow up to two plants for personal use and gift cannabis without remuneration.
Maryland voters will have an opportunity to legalize a recreational cannabis market in November after a vote by state lawmakers put the question on the statewide ballot. Regulators put plans to award an additional four cultivation and ten processing licenses on hold. No timeline has been established for when these additional licenses will be granted. Maryland has set caps on the number of dispensaries and growers allowed.