Maryland Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Cannabis Legalization

Maryland voted to legalize adult-use cannabis by what is shaping up to be a nearly 30% vote margin.

Maryland is one of five states with measures on the ballot in this election allowing voters to decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana. 

Beginning in July 2023, adults 21 and over will be allowed to possess up to 1.5 oz of cannabis and 10 grams of cannabis concentrate. Question 4, the Marijuana Legalization Amendment, was on the ballot in as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

"Maryland has officially become the latest state to legalize adult-use cannabis, and I am thrilled to see this state take steps toward social equity through cannabis legalization. Though this initiative's framework is relatively bare-bones, I look forward to seeing how Maryland will structure their legislature for full adult-use cannabis legalization, and hopefully, they do so with social equity in mind," said Jeffrey M. Zucker, vice chair of the Marijuana Policy Project Board of Directors and President of Green Lion Partners.

A companion piece of legislation, House Bill 837, decriminalized those possession amounts until July 2023.

The measure will trigger the implementation of a complementary bill that will set basic regulations for the adult-use cannabis program that was sponsored by Del. Luke Clippinger (D). It establishes ground rules for the recreational program regarding issues such as penalties and expungement, allowing the purchase and possession of up to 1.5 ounces of adult cannabis. The measure also eliminates criminal penalties for possession of up to 2.5 ounces. Adults over the age of 21 will be allowed to grow up to two plants for personal use and give away marijuana without remuneration.

Image via El Planteo.