Global Courant
Recreational use of marijuana became legal for adults in Maryland on Saturday, allowing residents 21 and older to purchase, use, possess and cultivate limited amounts of the substance.
Maryland residents voted in a referendum for recreational cannabis use in the November election. Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed the cannabis reform bill into law in May.
Under the law, adults 21 and older can grow up to two plants for personal use and can own up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis, which is subject to a 9% tax, Fox 5 DC reported. Growing cannabis plants used to lead to legal consequences. But this new law lifted that restriction.
While the law now allows residents to purchase, use and possess cannabis, its use is restricted to private residences, Maryland Cannabis Administration Deputy Director Dawn Berkowitz told WJZ. This means that public smoking is still not allowed.
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Recreational use of marijuana became legal for adults in Maryland on Saturday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
“The purchase limit is the same as the possession limit for personal use. That includes up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or up to 750 mg of THC,” Berkowitz said.
Possession of more than 1.5 but less than 2.5 ounces of cannabis can result in civil fines, and possession of more than 2.5 ounces can be considered an intent to distribute, leading to criminal charges, Berkowitz said .
Convictions for marijuana-related offenses made legal under the new law will be automatically expunged, and those serving those offenses will be eligible for a new sentence. People convicted of possession with intent to distribute can petition the court for a disbarment three years after their sentence has ended.
The state also now allows companies to serve medicinal cannabis to customers. Nearly 100 pharmacies have been approved by state regulators to convert to dual licensees who will be allowed to serve patients and adult consumers under last year’s ballot measure.
Smoking in public is still not allowed under Maryland’s new marijuana legalization law. (iStock)
“We’ve long thought that Americans across the country are going to choose cannabis, and we see 6 million people in Maryland, and we know it’s going to be a big business here,” Ben Kovler, CEO and founder of Green Thumb and RISE Dispensary , Fox 5 told DC.
The Maryland Cannabis Administration said last week it has approved 42 growers and manufacturers.
“The Maryland Cannabis Administration, in conjunction with our industry partners, is pleased to offer safer, legal, tested cannabis to adults in Maryland beginning July 1,” said Will Tilburg, acting director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, in a press release. “We encourage adults to become informed about both the parameters of the new law and about safe and responsible cannabis consumption.”
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Residents 21 and older may purchase, use, possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana. (AP Photo/Marina Riker, File)
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Maryland joins more than 20 other states in legalizing recreational marijuana for adults.
“We are writing a new chapter in the story of cannabis in America. One that will uplift communities harmed by criminalization and build a more competitive and equitable economy,” Moore said in a tweet Saturday.
Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level and is prohibited in government offices and other federal property.
