A Recreational Change For Maryland
Cannabis Use To Be Legalized In Maryland On July 1. But Users Should Know The Rules Of The Road Or Face Fines, Penalties, Jail
By Kristina Townsend
Take two and pass has come to Maryland.
As of Saturday, July 1, recreational cannabis use will be legal in Maryland. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation to regulate adult-use cannabis commerce on June 28. Numerous questions have surfaced about the upcoming legalization, including who can legally consume it, and if it can be consumed in public.
Adults aged 21 and older may possess, use and even grow cannabis. However, it will remain illegal for them to sell it and smoke it in public. Past charges of cannabis possession can also be expunged according to the new law, and it has been announced that individuals with past charges may apply for resentencing.
Opinions vary on the matter. While some are optimistic, others are expressing concerns. For example, Professor Amelia Arria, director of the Center on Young Adult Health and Development says cannabis use has been a growing concern for college campuses. “About 2.6 million people started using cannabis in the U.S. in 2021,” Arria said in an article published by Maryland’s School of Public Health. “And of that total, about 60% were younger than 21 years old. Higher education professionals are looking for guidance to addressing the challenges surrounding cannabis use.”
Prince George’s County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy also has concerns. In a recent panel discussion, Braveboy said other states that approved recreational use of the drug experienced an increase in violence and crime over the street versions.
“The experience has been that in places like Colorado where marijuana has been legal for some time, the illegal drug market grew and the violence associated with the illegal drug trade increased,” Braveboy said.
In contrast, some say that because of the new law, the outlook for business and commerce remains hopeful in the eyes of citizens and lawmakers. Moore said it will “ensure that the rollout of recreational cannabis in our state drives opportunity in an equitable way… The criminalization of marijuana harmed low-income communities and communities of color in a profound way. We want to make sure that the legalization of marijuana lifts those communities now in a profound way.”
Legalization doesn’t mean there are no rules.
Smoking cannabis in public is still illegal and could lead to a fine. It can be $50 for a first offense, but fines can increase to $150 for repeated offenses. And remember, once stopped for smoking in public, officers can begin more extensive searches or questioning.
DUI laws also still apply. Motorists cannot drive while high or they may be hit with a fine or jail time. A first-time offender may get a fine of $500 with no jail time. But the offender’s license may be suspended for several years. Repeat offenders will face fines of up to $1,000 and jail time.
As for possession and growing cannabis, a person can only possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana at a time. Anything more than that can lead to a $250 fine. Possession of 2.5 ounces or more could come with criminal charges. Adults can only grow two plants per residence. Plants must be hidden from public view so that anyone under 21 cannot access them.
