Maryland’s legislative session cannabis policy wrap up

Maryland's legislative session has adjourned. This year was a mixed bag for cannabis policy reform, but two positive cannabis bills passed the legislature. If they are signed into law, these bills would legalize home production of edible products, reduce penalties for some cannabis offenses, allow for resentencing, and expand expungement.

If you live in Maryland, urge the governor to sign these bills to advance cannabis freedom and justice!

Both the Maryland House and Senate passed Delegate David Moon's (D) HB 413, which would allow the manufacturing of cannabis products for personal use. It also reduces grossly excessive, five-year mandatory sentences for some cannabis offenses. This bill acknowledges it shouldn't be a crime to safely produce tinctures, edibles, and other products for personal use at home. Home production is cost-effective and cuts down on traveling to far-away dispensaries for rural Marylanders.

Likewise, SB 432, an expungement bill sponsored by Sen. Nick Charles (D), also passed both chambers. If signed into law, the bill would forbid any cannabis possession charge that has been pardoned by the governor from coming up in Maryland Judiciary's Case Search. We fully support this passing so that individuals no longer have to carry the burden of a criminal record for simply possessing cannabis.

Despite these wins for cannabis this session, there were other disappointments. Economic Matters Committee Chair C.T. Wilson failed to call a committee vote on bills to protect fire and rescue workers who use medical cannabis off-hours from employment discrimination, even after the Senate version (SB 1023) passed the full Senate.

Meanwhile, due to budget concerns, the General Assembly increased cannabis taxes from 9% to 12%.

Thank you for all of your advocacy this session!