This last election saw the Old Line State changing their cannabis laws in Maryland and legally approving the use of recreational marijuana. That officially goes into effect in July 2023 — but when should Marylanders expect to be able to buy pot in the state? Well, that’s a whole ‘nother story, Hon.
With resident support at more than 66%, Question 4 was easily approved, creating a referendum that allows people over the age of 21 to possess, use and grow small amounts of marijuana. But defining exactly what are the cannabis laws in Maryland is a little bit more complicated.
Starting January 2023, possession of small amounts of cannabis changes from being a criminal offense to a civil one – up until July when legalization will be fully realized. The motivating factor in getting this referendum to the people was not so much about the state taxing and making money from the sale of Maryland cannabis, but instead stopping unnecessary arrests and the criminalization of cannabis users. With the task of setting up and regulating this new industry under the direction of the General Assembly, it could well be years before cannabis sales Maryland become an actual thing.
While Maryland medical marijuana legalization went into effect eight years ago, the legalization of weed for recreational purposes has been a long time coming for the state — one of five states across the United States who put that question to a vote this election and one of only two, along with Missouri, to approve it. It will take time to create the framework needed for licensing and regulation for this new industry, and cannabis laws in Maryland have yet to define exactly how much the state tax on recreational bud will be or how much it will cost consumers.
Typically, it takes three to four years for a state to fully meet adult-use demand. There are currently 160,000 Marylanders with medical marijuana cards, and in 2021 those dispensaries sold about $600 million worth of medicinal weed. But next July, more than 4 million Free State residents will be able to legally possess recreational Maryland cannabis. Growers of cannabis need to be prepared to produce the volume of cannabis that the general public may (will) demand, and consumers need to be ready to store all of the amazing green that will soon be available — FreshStor is ready to help on both those fronts.