Maryland’s marijuana legalization law officially took effect on Saturday, with simple possession and personal cultivation becoming legal as the majority of existing medical cannabis dispensaries opened their doors to adult consumers for the first recreational sales.
Meanwhile, a separate law also took effect on Saturday that prevents police from using the odor or possession of marijuana alone as the basis of a search. Yet another law going into force makes it so the lawful and responsible use of cannabis by parents and guardians cannot be construed by state officials as child “neglect.”
Nearly 100 dispensaries have been approved by state regulators to covert to dual licensees that will be able to serve both patients and adult consumers over the age of 21 under a ballot measure approved by voters last year.
Lawmakers have worked expediently to ensure that the industry infrastructure is put into place in tandem with the legalization of simple possession and home cultivation. Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed legislation in May to establish a regulatory framework for cannabis sales to achieve that goal.
The first official adult-use sales at the @ApothecariumMd in Cumberland, Md! Congratulations @JasonGWild pic.twitter.com/LTooczxSUD
— Don Murphy (@donmurphy12a) July 1, 2023
In addition to
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