Md: Protect your state’s cannabis progress this election!

To protect Maryland’s cannabis progress, we need to vote for leaders who will defend it.

Since voters legalized cannabis in 2022, Maryland has seen the real and measurable benefits of legalization. Some of the most impressive evidence has come from youth use declining and a reduction in arrests: 

• Cannabis-related arrests have plummeted 96% compared to before legalization, sparing countless Marylanders from the lasting consequences of a criminal record. 
• Youth use of cannabis has declined nearly 20% in the three years post-legalization, showing that a regulated market can protect teens better than prohibition ever did.

Legal cannabis also allows Marylanders to have a safe, regulated option to use cannabis while paying for programs that strengthen the place they live. 

From the start of legal sales through 2025, Maryland’s communities have benefitted from the revenue generated from their legal cannabis market:

• Cannabis taxes have generated over $190 million in revenue for the state.
• Funds go directly back into Maryland’s communities. After administrative costs, tax revenue is distributed to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Funds, the Cannabis Business Assistance Funds, the Cannabis Public Health Fund, and counties.

This progress is not guaranteed to continue. It depends on who we elect.

Maryland will decide on all 8 U.S. House seats this election, as well as all seats in Maryland’s state legislature. While MPP lacked the bandwidth to create a voter guide for state legislative races, we did break down Maryland’s two highest-polling candidates who will face off for the top seat in the state — Governor.  

The Democratic candidate for governor is incumbent Wes Moore. Throughout his time as governor, Moore has been a strong supporter of cannabis reform and has issued pardons for more than 181,000 cannabis-related convictions.

The Republican candidate is Dan Cox, a former Maryland state delegate. Cox’s record on cannabis reform is mixed. He initially opposed the 2022 ballot measure that legalized adult-use cannabis, yet he has said he supports decriminalization of cannabis under certain conditions.

Early voting begins today and ends on Thursday, October 29th. Make sure you make your support for cannabis heard this election. 

• You can find your polling location by looking up your address here. 
• View your sample ballot here. 
• Confirm your status as a voter here.

This election, vote for candidates who will protect legal cannabis and the community investments it makes possible. Let’s keep The Free State moving forward.